Virucidal Efficacy of BETADINE(R) Formulations Proven Against MERS[1]

SINGAPORE, Sept. 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Mundipharma today announced successful results from the testing of BETADINE® formulations against the MERS virus, which remains a serious health threat with a new outbreak in Saudi Arabia, the largest since the peak of the last MERS outbreak there in the summer of 2014³. With more than two million pilgrims to the Muslim holy city of Mecca for the annual hajj pilgrimage expected in September⁴ and more than 5 million Saudi students starting classes this week, there is a significant risk of the virus spreading nationwide.

The South Korea outbreak which concluded in July 2015, where 185 people were infected, 36 killed and more than 16,000 quarantined, has demonstrated the need for effective preventative measures to reduce the spread of the virus⁵.

To date, there is no specific medication or vaccination available to effectively combat MERS or its spread, raising tremendous concern in today's globally connected population. Hence, in an effort to contain the spread of infectious diseases, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has emphasised the importance of good hygiene and issued guidelines on maintaining good personal hygiene, highlighting regular hand washing with soap, as the first line of defence in disease prevention and infection control⁶.

A recent in-vitro research study, conducted at Marburg University, Germany, on BETADINE^® range of products including 4% PVP-I (BETADINE^® Skin Cleanser), 7.5% PVP-I (BETADINE^® Surgical Scrub), 1% PVP-I (BETADINE^® gargle and mouthwash) demonstrated scientifically proven virucidal in-vitro efficacy against the MERS virus and the modified vaccinia virus type Ankara, considered to be one of the toughest enveloped viruses (Ebola, influenza and coronaviruses are also enveloped viruses)⁷.

The study was conducted based on the latest EU test standard EN14476:2014 for antiviral enveloped virus testing (similar to that for Ebola). The three PVP-I products tested in this study demonstrated virucidal activity against MERS with a rapid kill rate of ≥99.99% within only 15 seconds of exposure, and reaffirms BETADINE®'s broad virucidal efficacy against a wide range of viruses including MERs. Proper hand and respiratory hygiene coupled with PVPI antiviral efficacy will help in limiting the transmission of the virus and protect against the spread of infection among health healthcare workers and the public during future MERS outbreaks.  

"This study not only highlights exciting new findings about the broad spectrum virucidal efficacy of PVPI against a wide range of viruses including MERs, it also reminds us that prevention through proper hygiene is still required to protect the health of both healthcare professionals and the public in the global fight against viral diseases," said Prof Maren Eggers, Head of Experimental Virology and Department of Disinfectant Testing at the Laboratory Prof. G Enders, MVZ Stuttgart. "We must continue to be vigilant and employ all of the weapons including proven PVPI products in our arsenal to fight this unseen enemy."

"To combat today's health threats; we have turned to BETADINE^®, which over the past 50 years, has repeatedly demonstrated proven effectiveness against a diverse range of pathogens including the MERS virus, and has kept generations of families protected from infections," says Raman Singh, President, Mundipharma, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & North Africa. "By coupling our commitment to innovation and accessibility, we are delivering the right medicines to the populations that need it most, as part of Mundipharma's model of patient-centred business growth."

References:

1. Eggers M et al. BETADINE® Solution, BETADINE® Skin Cleanser and BETADINE® Surgical Scrub demonstrated excellent virucidal in-vitro efficacy against Ebola virus Poster presented at Asia Pacific Society of Infection Control(APSIC), Taipei, 2015
2. Eggers M et al. BETADINE® Solution, BETADINE® Skin Cleanser and BETADINE® Surgical Scrub demonstrated excellent virucidal in-vitro efficacy against Ebola virus Poster presented at Asia Pacific Society of Infection Control(APSIC), Taipei, 2015
3. http://www.who.int/csr/don/21-august-2015-mers-saudi-arabia/en/
4. http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2015/08/22/mers-saudi-1/
5. http://www.who.int/emergencies/mers-cov/en/
6. http://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/tools/9789241597906/en/
7. Eggers M et al. BETADINE® Solution, BETADINE® Skin Cleanser and BETADINE® Surgical Scrub demonstrated excellent virucidal in-vitro efficacy against Ebola virus Poster presented at Asia Pacific Society of Infection Control(APSIC), Taipei, 2015

For further information please contact:

Stephenie Vasko
Communications Director - Asia, Latin America & Middle East
PH +65-6303-9732
stephenie.vasko@mundipharma.com.sg
www.mundipharma.com.sg

About Mundipharma

The Mundipharma network of independent associated companies consists of privately owned companies and joint ventures covering the world's pharmaceutical markets. These companies are committed to bringing to patients the benefits of pioneering treatment options in the core therapy areas of oncology, pain, respiratory and rheumatoid arthritis.

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