COVID-19 continues to be a huge global problem with global cases now over 112 million. Vaccines are a source of hope but just as valuable are treatments that can help infected COVID-19 patients before they become another horrific statistic.
One specialty pharmaceutical company has a potential anti-COVID-19 product currently in the clinical trial phase. That company is Valeo Pharma Inc. (CSE: VPH | OTCQB: VPHIF | FSE: VP2) (‘Valeo’).
Valeo has an anti-COVID-19 product currently in a clinical trial known as the Hesperidin Coronavirus Study. Valeo Pharma’s Hesperco™ capsules are Health Canada approved (for immune support) and are at the core of Montreal Heart Institute’s Hesperidin Coronavirus Clinical Trial. HesperCo™ is Valeo’s unique hesperidin formulation. Hesperidin is a flavonoid with powerful antioxidant properties that helps support the immune system, and may potentially help in the fight against COVID-19.
Valeo Pharma and Ingenew Pharma are trialing their Hesperco™ flavonoid product in the fight against COVID-19
Valeo states: “Hesperidin interferes/ inhibits 2 key proteins of SARS-CoV-2 necessary for entry and infection of cells, suggesting that hesperidin may disrupt the replication rate of the virus and enable infected patients to build natural immunity. Hesperidin’s safety profile and immune-modulatory activity make it a highly promising molecule to intervene at various stages of the COVID-19 infection process……hesperidin, the medicinal ingredient contained in HESPERCO™ capsules, and its efficacy against other coronavirus strains are well documented in scientific literature….”
Note: Bold emphasis by the author.
‘Inhibiting COVID-19 entry into our cells’ and ‘boosting immunity’. Wow! This could potentially be a game-changer if successful. With the world currently at 112,654,202 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 2,496,749 COVID-19 deaths (as of February 24, 2021), a product that can inhibit COVID-19 while at the same time boosting our immunity would be an incredible breakthrough.
Valeo’s HESPERCO™ development partner is Ingenew Pharma. Ingenew’s President & CEO stated: “Although hesperidin can be found in lower concentration in citrus fruits or some natural health products, a much higher hesperidin concentration, such as the one found in Hesperco™, is required to achieve therapeutic benefits…With its well-documented anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activity, hesperidin may also provide further protection to the infected subjects by reducing the COVID-19-induced cytokine storm (severe inflammatory response) observed in severe cases.”
Valeo Pharma is focusing on specialty products to fight neurodegenerative diseases, cancers, pain, and maybe COVID-19
About Valeo Pharma Inc.
Valeo’s business plan is to become a leading Canadian-focused specialty pharmaceutical company and be the partner of choice for international companies wishing to enter the Canadian market. Valeo’s focus is mostly on specialty areas such as neurodegenerative diseases (MS, Parkinson’s, and Schizophrenia), oncology (cancer) and supportive care/pain management, and hospital specialty products.
Valeo partners with pharmaceutical companies that have expertise in research & development and manufacturing while Valeo concentrates on the regulatory requirements to get a drug approved in Canada and then focuses on marketing the product. Valeo state: “Our focus is getting the product on the market, and we have all the capabilities in-house to register and commercialize innovative pharmaceuticals in Canada.”
Valeo currently has 10 products in their portfolio with another 3 in the pipeline.
Valeo’s revenue is forecast to triple from FY2020 revenue of C$8.0 million to a forecast FY2021 revenue of C$24.0 million.
Closing remarks
Valeo Pharma Inc. trades on a market cap of C$68 million which seems rather small when we look at much larger pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer Inc. on a market cap of US$188 billion. Sure they are not comparable companies in terms of current products, revenues etc; but it does highlight the potential size to which the most successful pharmaceutical companies can grow. If we compare to the successful natural vitamin companies such as Blackmores, it trades on a market cap of A$1.53 billion.
Valeo’s strategy to partner with other product developers means they can reduce R&D expenses, time to market, and focus on marketing & sales. This is a quicker and smarter way to achieve revenues. Valeo’s stock is up 128% over the past year so it certainly looks like their strategy is working.
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