Drug company Phoenix Biotechnology Inc stated on Thursday that that the "Antiviral Effects of Oleandrin" article published in the Journal of Experimental Pharmacology emphasized the strong antiviral activity against "enveloped" viruses of the cardiac glycoside and oleandrin's ability to inhibit production of infectious virus particles when used for treatment prior to, as well as after, infection of SARS-CoV-2.

Based on the published reports from in vitro cell culture studies, oleandrin and extracts containing this molecule are effective against HIV, the Ebola virus as well as HTLV-1 and other viruses that are harmful to human health and well-being. The ability of oleandrin to inhibit the relative infectivity of progeny virus particles may offer a unique approach to treating certain viral diseases, added the company.

The company said the antiviral efficacy of oleandrin has now been shown against SARS-COV-2 and, if proven safe and effective in animal models and then in human studies, oleandrin and extracts may offer a unique therapeutic approach to treat COVID-19-related disease.

Oleandrin is a unique lipid-soluble molecule derived exclusively from Nerium oleander, which is the active principal ingredient in the patented botanical extract drug PBI-05204 developed by Phoenix Biotechnology Inc. This drug has been through both Phase I and Phase II trials (completed in 2016) in patients with malignant disease.

A recent in vitro report by the University of Texas Medical Branch's World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses has shown that oleandrin has a powerful effect against SARS-CoV-2. Prophylactic treatment of Vero cells with as little as 50ng/mL concentration resulted in a significant 800-fold reduction in virus production and a 100ng/mL oleandrin concentration resulted in a greater than 3,000-fold reduction in the infectious titer as well as a similar reduction in viral RNA, concluded the company.