Starpharma’s value is mostly dependent on its DEP-oncology...

Starpharma’s value is mostly dependent on its DEP-oncology portfolio, and to a lesser extent the existing VivaGel application for bacterial vaginosis. So if you bought shares just on the promise of a nasal spray for covid-19, then i don’t think you did your due diligence on this company.

Having said that, there are a few points in relation to your criticisms of SPL7013 nasal spray:

1. Healthcare and other high-risk workers are getting infected with SARS-COV-2 even when wearing full PPE, including masks and eye protection. Therefore any additional measure that increases the amount of protection against viral infection is welcome.

2. The nasal spray makes sense as the first formulation of SPL7013 to be developed, as cells in the nasal mucosa express the highest level of entry factor genes associated with the coronavirus infection, and are therefore the likeliest route of infection. This protecting the nasal mucosa with SPL7013 will reduce the most common means of infection, if the virus makes it through the mask.

3. Starpharma is also already developing SPL7013 in eye drops for conjunctivitis treatment, so if the nasal spray is rolled out and proved effective, they have the eye drops already under development as the next weapon in the armoury against different routes of coronavirus infection. They have said they’re also considering a nebuliser formulation for the respiratory tract.

4. Viral shedding in people with Covid is highest in nasal secretions, so in addition to its preventive actions, treatment of covid patients with the SPL7013 nasal spray could also reduce the chance of them passing the infection on to others. Again it makes sense to target the nasal route first, as there is a higher viral load in nasal compared to oral secretions.