How it works

Glycovirology is a novel glycan-based platform technology. The concept behind it is that carbohydrate drugs can be used as entry inhibitors that attach directly to the binding domain of different viruses.  Our main drug candidate is designed to target the virus instead of the cell like most of the other compounds in development.  There is also evidence that carbohydrate drugs are capable of modulating the immune system.  Future research in this field will likely finetune the drug candidates to the conserved receptor domains found on these viruses.      

The presence of glycoproteins or lectins in the viral envelope opens a wide range of possibilities for application of carbohydrate binding agent, such as lectins or lectin binding agent as designed new glycan to address some urgent problems involved in this pandemic situation.

Bioxytran Inc. is developing a glycan-based technology platform, antiviral molecules for treating viral infections. Many viruses enter cells by way of carbohydrate molecules known as Glycans to which they bind or sometimes utilize carbohydrate binding protein receptors called Lectin during the initial steps of infection.

Glycans are complex, long-chain carbohydrates of a broad range of shapes and sizes that are found on the surface of all cells. Glycans play a key role in intercellular communication and the transmission of signals in immune responses. Moreover, most viruses use glycans or Lectins to enter cells; this allows the virus to dock on and migrate through the cell membrane.

Glycans and lectins play crucial roles in the function of cells and organs and in the immune system of animals and humans. Viral pathogens use glycans and lectins that are encoded by their own or the host genome for their replication and spread. Recent advances in glycobiological research indicate that glycans and lectins mediate key interactions at the virus-host interface, controlling viral spread and/or activation of the immune system.

Source:
Enhancing clinical and immunological effects of anti-PD-1 with belapectin, a galectin-3 inhibitor
‍https://jitc.bmj.com/content/9/4/e002371

‍The Many Roles of Galectin-3, a Multifaceted Molecule, in Innate Immune Responses against Pathogens
‍https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5457773/

Traditional therapies, like anti-replication drugs,  allow for viral entry into the cell blocking the viral replication process used to make more viruses. In contrast, immune modulators quiet the cytokine storm to bring the body back into balance. Vaccines stimulate the production of antibodies to be used at a later date.  Entry inhibitors could accomplish the same goal, but it would be from an actual infection. Actual infections are known to provide better immunity over vaccines.  Our glycovirology therapy is a novel approach in virology science.

Target Use Cases

COVID-19

ProLectin-M is a chewable tablet for the treatment of mild and moderate Covid-19 cases. In theory it blocks the viral entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the cells and tags it for elimination through the liver. In our clinical study (Phase I/II) carried out at Mazumdar Shaw Medical Center, Narayana Health, Bangalore India, our results show the patients to be symptom free within the first 24 - 72 hours with a significant reduction of viral load, completely eliminated in 5 - 7 days. Generally, the virus can remain in the body for up to 3 months. Further, our in-vitro study also shows a 98.5% binding to the virus.

ProLectin-M targets the spike proteins on SARS-CoV-2. The spike protein contains the conservative lectin receptor, making it more resistant to viral mutations. When ProLectin-M binds to the virus, it inhibits viral entry in a similar way that neutralizing antibodies prevent viral entry. However, ProLectin-M binds to a different area on the spike protein than a neutralizing antibody.  

Galectin Anatagonist Benefits

• Eliminates virus: Galectin Anatagonist shows a rapid reduction of viral load in the blood and eliminates the virus completely within a few days. The theory behind the Mechanism of Action (MOA) is that the drug prevents the virus from entering the human cell and is eventually eliminated by the liver.
• Stops the spread: If Galectin Anatagonist reduces the viral load quickly enough it has the potential to get to viral levels that are considered non-contagious. Lowering viral levels can also lower the infectivity of the virus and help prevent people from spreading the virus to others by reducing the time that they are contagious whereas vaccinated people can still infect others.
• Promotes immunity:  The adaptive immune system creates Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies resulting in long term immunity.
• Prophylactic characteristics: If Galectin Anatagonist can slow the spread of the virus to other parts of the body then it gives rise to the possibility that people who are not infected by the virus might be able to use Galectin Anatagonist as a preventative measure.
• Universally compatible with all mutations: By targeting lectins, which are located on the most conservative part of the spike protein, Galectin Anatagonist binds to the part of the spike protein resistant to change regardless of how the  SARS-CoV-2 mutates.
• Easy to transport and administer: Galectin Anatagonist tablets can be stored at any temperature. They are easy to administer and people can treat themselves at home.

Animal studies on influenza have demonstrated that inhibiting Galectin-3, but also Galectin-1, improves outcomes in lethal influenza models. Other animal’s models show that Galectin inhibitors act as immune modulators in cancer and other diseases. With our platform technology, an entirely different view on retroviruses that includes Ebola and Influenza, and potentially many other diseases caused by viral infection.