Zentek Announces Successful Aptamer Testing for Longevity of Protection and Minimum Effective Dose

Zentek Ltd., a leading intellectual property technology development and commercialization company, is making significant strides in the field of aptamer-based platform technology. The company is pleased to announce the successful completion of further pre-clinical testing of its novel aptamer therapeutic/prophylactic, developed by the lab of Dr. Yingfu Li and tested by the team of Dr. Matthew Miller.

Following promising initial results released in July 2023, the recent pre-clinical testing has provided additional evidence supporting the aptamer as a lead therapeutic target. One study focused on assessing the longevity of protection provided by the aptamer-based treatment over a 24-hour period. The results demonstrated that the novel aptamer offered 24 hours of neutralizing protection against SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. This finding is particularly significant as it suggests the aptamer could be used as a prophylactic treatment, offering complete protection while maintaining convenience for daily use.

In another study, researchers aimed to determine the minimum effective dose of the aptamer required to protect against a lethal challenge of SARS-CoV-2. The results showed that a dose of 25.8 µM provided complete protection against the virus, while a lower dose of 258 µM also demonstrated sterilizing protection. These findings highlight the potential of the aptamer as an effective treatment option, with the added benefits of resource efficiency and safety.

Dr. Matthew Miller, who led the research, expressed his excitement about the results, stating, “The aptamer platform developed at the Li Lab has successfully neutralized the SARS-CoV-2 virus at a dose and duration that shows strong therapeutic and prophylactic potential. This suggests the aptamer platform could be an alternative to monoclonal antibodies, with the added advantage of faster development timelines.”

The next step for Zentek is to evaluate the aptamer’s efficacy against the Omicron variant, a highly transmissible strain of the virus. This ongoing research demonstrates the company’s commitment to staying at the forefront of infectious disease treatment and pandemic preparedness efforts.

Zentek, an ISO 13485:2016 certified company, focuses on developing and commercializing novel products that enhance the safety, effectiveness, and sustainability of its commercial partners’ offerings. The company’s patented technology platform, ZenGUARD™, has shown remarkable antimicrobial activity and significantly improves the filtration efficiency of surgical masks and HVAC systems. Zentek’s production facility is located in Guelph, Ontario.

Furthermore, Zentek holds a global exclusive license to the aptamer-based platform technology developed by McMaster University. This collaboration between Zentek and McMaster aims to advance the diagnostic and therapeutic markets, offering innovative solutions to combat infectious diseases.

With its groundbreaking research and commitment to technological advancements, Zentek is poised to revolutionize the field of infectious disease treatment. By providing faster and more effective solutions, the company is playing a vital role in global pandemic preparedness efforts.

For more information about Zentek and its groundbreaking technologies, please visit their website at www.Zentek.com.