South Indian Frog Oozes Molecule That Inexplicably Decimates Flu Viruses

[DamianTV]

https://science.slashdot.org/story/1...es-flu-viruses

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica:

From the slimy backs of a South Indian frog comes a new way to blast influenza viruses. A compound in the frog's mucus -- long known to have germ-killing properties -- can latch onto flu virus particles and cause them to burst apart, researchers report in Immunity. The peptide is a potent and precise killer, able to demolish a whole class of flu viruses while leaving other viruses and cells unharmed. But scientists don't know exactly how it pulls off the viral eviscerations. No other antiviral peptide of its ilk seems to work the same way. The study authors, led by researchers at Emory University, note that the peptide appears uniquely nontoxic -- something that can't be said of many other frog-based compounds. Thus, the peptide on its own holds promise of being a potential therapy someday. But simply figuring out how it works could move researchers closer to a vaccine or therapy that could take out all flus, ditching the need for yearly vaccinations for each season's flavor of flu.

Betcha this is the last we ever hear anything happening. Why? Too much money to be made in over the counter medicine that really only treats the symptoms. Got a cold? Sorry pal, here, why dont you take this drug that dries you out, makes you sleep heavy, and overall, just gets you really really high! Oh, and give us lots and lots of money!

[phill4paul]

Betcha this is the last we ever hear anything happening. Why? Too much money to be made in over the counter medicine that really only treats the symptoms. Got a cold? Sorry pal, here, why dont you take this drug that dries you out, makes you sleep heavy, and overall, just gets you really really high! Oh, and give us lots and lots of money!

And, of course, there is this....

ditching the need for yearly vaccinations for each season's flavor of flu.

[Brian4Liberty]

https://science.slashdot.org/story/1...es-flu-viruses

Betcha this is the last we ever hear anything happening. Why? Too much money to be made in over the counter medicine that really only treats the symptoms. Got a cold? Sorry pal, here, why dont you take this drug that dries you out, makes you sleep heavy, and overall, just gets you really really high! Oh, and give us lots and lots of money!

To be fair, the vast majority of these stories are pretty much fantasy, and will never result in a viable human therapy or drug.

But yes, when something does work, expect the games to be played, as was the case with the very effective cure for Hep-C, which was delayed for a long time due to pharma battling for advantage while people died.

[phill4paul]