GCIByotrol wins patent for novel anti-viral seaweed extract
() an infection prevention and control company, has announced the approval of a UK patent following its discovery of unique anti-viral properties of certain enhanced extracts of commonly available brown seaweed.
Years of research by Byotrol's technical team, supported by research scientists at the University of Liverpool and funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and Innovate UK, have led to the patent approval.
The patent provides valuable intellectual property for Byotrol, enabling the development of commercial relationships.
In the UK and Europe, seaweed extracts are not as yet approved as active materials for biocidal products, so instead, the company is now actively exploring alternative applications in very sizeable markets, such as over-the-counter products for the preventative treatment of viral conditions including colds, flu, coronaviruses and cold sores.
Byotrol Plc's Chairman, Dr Trevor Francis, comments:"We are delighted to have secured the first patent for our seaweed-based anti-viral technologies. It is another good indication of the quality of our technical capability, and it will most certainly help us as we intensify the search for commercial partners. It also adds to our already significant level of intellectual property in antimicrobials.
"This patent further confirms Byotrol's commitment to developing and commercializing natural and sustainable antimicrobial actives."
View from Vox
Byotrol is a UK-based company that specialises in the development of antimicrobial products, catering to various applications, including clinical, commercial, and domestic settings.
Byotrol’s exploring of alternative applications for brown seaweed extract such as preventative treatments for colds and flu will be welcome across Europe and the UK as immunity levels are still yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. In addition, preventative treatments can prevent more serious symptoms from arising, leading to huge cost savings for healthcare systems.
Byotrol’s exploration of applying brown seaweed extract for viral treatments, such as the flu, is particularly interesting as it taps into a broader medical research trend of exploring the use of algal-derived compounds for viral treatments.
There is strong evidence to emphasise the importance of algal-derived compounds that make them potential candidates for the world’s most serious viral infections. Byotrol’s involvement and research in algal-derived compounds demonstrates that the company is hitting on an exciting shift in medical research. The versatile applications of brown seaweed extract, whether for medical use or for biocidal products, make it highly valuable due to its ability to cater to diverse markets.
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