Synairgen PLC (LON:SYNG) (AIM:SNG, OTC:SYGGF) said it is to take part in a large-scale study to better understand the nature of acute respiratory viral infection.
Called UNIVERSAL*, the trial will recruit 1,000 people across 10 sites with enrolment already underway.
Funded by Janssen, a unit of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), the observational assessment will be led by the clinical trials unit of the University of Southampton.
Researchers hope to compile a clinical database of respiratory viral infections in hospitalised patients to ‘inform the development of potential antivirals to treat severe viral lung infections caused by seasonal viruses and emerging viral threats’.
Synairgen is the owner of SNG001, an inhaled antiviral protein interferon beta designed to combat lung infection.
The company’s chief executive, Richard Marsden, said the study would help to ‘further inform’ the development of SNG001.
"The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the important link between research and clinical care and its impact on the timely development of much-needed antivirals for severe lung viral infections caused by seasonal viruses and emerging respiratory viral threats,” he added.
“Our collaboration on the UNIVERSAL trial will help provide a better understanding of what could predict clinical outcomes in patients hospitalised with respiratory symptoms due to infection with a range of respiratory viruses.”
*Understanding Infection, Viral Exacerbation and Respiratory Symptoms at Admission-Longitudinal