Australia's Biota has begun its first human trial of a therapy that it believes could provide a cure for the common cold. BTA798 has demonstrated efficacy in animal and lab studies as a therapy for human rhinovirus, researchers say. HRV is responsible for about 75 percent of all colds. But due to its cost, any eventual marketing of the drug is likely to be limited to people with compromised immune systems who could be seriously threatened by a cold. In most cases, people can overcome a cold in a few days. "If you are going to spend $25 or $30 medicating yourself, that's justifiable if it is going to save you $500 a day for a bed in hospital," said Biota CEO Peter Cook.
- read this report from The Age for more information