Zentek and Triera Biosciences Report Promising Results in Combatting Avian Influenza

Zentek Ltd., through its subsidiary Triera Biosciences, announced positive initial results in developing treatments for the H5N1 avian influenza virus. Utilizing multivalent aptamer technology, the research highlighted promising binding affinities better than those seen in SARS-CoV-2 aptamers. This advancement comes amid a heightened global alert due to the ongoing H5N1 outbreak which poses significant public health risks.

Notably, Triera has optimized a universal influenza aptamer that has displayed strong potential in initial testing phases, including binding to multiple influenza virus subtypes. This aptamer technology could lead to effective prophylactic and therapeutic solutions against avian influenza. Triera has filed a provisional patent for this aptamer and plans to begin in vivo testing shortly.

The urgency of this development is underscored by the spread of H5N1 to livestock and its detection in the U.S. milk supply, alerting global health authorities and governments to the potential for a severe pandemic. Triera's innovative approach may also offer a broader application in managing future outbreaks of various infectious diseases.