PRB Pharmaceuticals and Lee's Pharmaceuticals have announced that a recent study by Taiwan researchers from the National Health Research Institutes demonstrates TF2b and TF3, two components of v38 AMF-1, inhibit the 3C-like protease encoded by SARS-CoV. v38 AMF-1, a fraction of the flu medication VIRA 38, is best known for its ability to inhibit bird flu virus (H5N1) infections.
The study ("Inhibition of SARS-CoV 3C-like Protease Activity by Theaflavin-3,3'-digallate (TF3)") was published in the June edition of Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. "The 3C-like protease (3CLpro) is one of the most promising targets for anti-SARS-CoV drugs due to its crucial role in the viral life cycle," commented Dr. John T.-A. Hsu, the senior author of the study.
"We are obviously pleased with these findings as we have patents filed on TF2b and TF3 for a number of infectious diseases including SARS and bird flu," said Dr. Charles Hensley, Chairman and CEO of PRB Pharmaceuticals. "In a much earlier study, Dr. John Tam at the Chinese University of Hong Kong showed v38 AMF-1 (TF1, TF2a, TF2b, and TF3) to be effective at inhibiting SARS virus replication. Subsequently, v38 AMF-1 and its fractions were shown to completely block bird flu virus (H5N1) infections."