H1N1 breakthrough
May 6, 2010
AUSTRALIAN scientists from
biotechnological company,
Marinova, have discovered a
natural compound, ‘Maritech 926’,
derived from the Undaria
Pinnatifida species of seaweed, that
arrests the H1N1 virus.
Testing of Maritech 926 (a
natural polysaccharide) found that
even in extremely low doses it
inhibited the swine flu virus.
Marinova is now working on
patenting Maritech 926 for a range
of potential supplements, hand
washes and nasal delivery products
which both prevent and retard a
range of viral conditions.
“Fucoidan extracts such as
Maritech® 926 are known to have
significant inhibitory effects on a
range of coated viruses,” said
Marinova’s senior scientist, Dr
Helen Fitton.
“We are particularly excited by
the fact that these seaweed extracts
have now been shown to have an
inhibitory effect on H1N1 at
extremely low concentrations.
With H1N1 already becoming
resistant to some other antiviral
agents, we believe that
Maritech926 offers a potent,
natural alternative which supports
the immune system against viral
attacks,” she added.
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