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 Ionic Contraviral Therapy- ICVT
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Overview
Henderson Morley has developed, in-house, an anti-viral
technology known as Ionic Contraviral Therapy (ICVT).
Viruses are parasites that infect the inside of cells. They
hijack the DNA of the host cell to instruct the cell to make
copies of itself, and thus spread the infection to other
cells. The nature of the cell infected will determine the
nature of the infection e.g. herpes simplex predominantly
infects skin and nerves so the infection manifests itself in
the skin and nerves.
Almost all existing anti-viral drugs interfere with some
aspect of the metabolism of the virus as it invades the host
cell (eg nucleoside analogues and protease inhibitors) . ICVT
is different however, as it interacts with the metabolism of
the cell in which the virus grows.
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ICVT Mechanism of action
All cells have a difference in electrical charge between their
inner and outer surfaces. This difference in charge is
essential for the life of the cell. Drugs that have been in
use for many years, mainly in the treatment of cardiovascular
diseases, alter this electrical charge. The scientific team at
Henderson Morley made the discovery that by using such drugs,
virus growth could be prevented.
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A difference in electrical charge
exists between the inside and outside of the cell |
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Following detailed studies, it has now
been established that the anti-viral effects of ICVT occur
as a consequence of reducing the concentration of certain
naturally occurring potassium ions inside the cell. This
very slight reduction of potassium concentration still
allows near normal cell functioning.
Screening of various drugs and drug combinations
demonstrated that the most powerful anti-viral effects
occurred when using a combination of two particular drugs
namely the cardiac glycoside digoxin, and the diuretic
furosemide.
These drugs have been licensed in almost every country in
the world for the treatment of heart and kidney disease.
They share the same property of potassium depletion,
however this is achieved by differing modes of action.
Consequently these two drugs when used together have far
greater effects than if the drugs are used singly i.e.
they display synergism. |
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The molecule of
furosemide |
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This graph demonstrates the reduction
of virus infection (pfu/cell) by the application of either
drug alone or in combination. Note the greatly enhanced
activity when the drugs are used together- synergism.
As these drugs have been available for many years, much is
already known about their mode of action, their
manufacture, their adverse effects and their stability
etc. Likewise expensive manufacturing facilities do not
need to be established in order to commercialise these
products. Consequently, the route to market for the
anti-viral use of these drugs will be much less expensive
and more rapid than if the drugs were newly discovered. |
New Patents
As the drugs used in ICVT have never previously been
considered to have anti-viral properties, it has been possible
to gain new patents for these new uses. Consequently a suite
of patents have been granted in all the major territories for
ICVT.
An important feature of ICVT is its broad anti-viral effect.
Most anti-viral drugs have a very narrow therapeutic spectrum
(eg acyclovir is only effective against alpha herpes viruses).
To date ICVT has been tested against a wide range of viruses.
Anti-viral efficacy was demonstrated (in-vitro) against herpes
simplex 1 and 2, Varicella Zoster virus, Cytomegalovirus,
Adenovirus, and Feline herpes.
The application of these drugs for specific diseases has
required the development of several different formulations-
each tailored to its specific medical application.
A research paper has been published in a peer reviewed
journal- Archives of Virology ( Published {and reproduced with
permission} by Springer Verlag) describing some of the earlier
findings of ICVT. This paper may be downloaded by
clicking here.
Next:
Formulation Studies
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