Tiziana Life Sciences expediting development of Covid-19 drug

Tiziana Life Sciences said on Wednesday that it is expediting the development of a drug that could help in the treatment of people infected with Covid-19.

It was referring to its TZLS-501 drug, which is a novel, fully human anti-interleukin-6 receptor monoclonal antibody for the treatment of patients infected with the latest strain of coronavirus. Tiziana said it plans to administer TZLS-501 using a proprietary formulation technology.

Chief executive officer Dr. Kunwar Shailubhai said: "We believe that the features of TZLS-501 consisting of its dual mechanism of action to inhibit signalling by the membrane-bound and soluble IL-6 receptors along with rapid depletion of circulating IL-6 cytokine, a major cause of lung damage, provides TZLS-501 with distinct advantages for treatment of COVID-19 over other anti-IL-6R mAbs such as Actemra and Kevzara for treatment of COVID-19."

He said the recent decision by researchers in China to add Roche’s Actemra to treatment guidelines for coronavirus patients with serious lung damage confirms the utility of anti-IL6R mAb.

Kevzara is made by Sanofi and Regeneron.

At 1220 GMT, Tiziana shares were up 297% at 127p.