Results of in-vitro clinical trial published

16 November 2020

VENTURE LIFE GROUP PLC

("Venture Life" "VLG" or the "Company")

Cardiff University's published in-vitro study reports two CPC-based mouthwashes completely eradicate SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) within a 30 second exposure

Venture Life (AIM: VLG), a leader in developing, manufacturing and commercialising products for the self-care market, announced on 24 August 2020 its involvement in a UK-led clinical trial, with one of its key oral care brands containing the powerful Cetylpyridinium Chloride ("CPC") technology, on those affected with COVID-19. This independent, multi-centre clinical study, led by Professor David Thomas at Cardiff University, investigates the possibility that using over-the-counter mouthwashes containing CPC could help to reduce the viral load of COVID-19 in the mouth. 

Today, the Company provides an update on the recently published[1] in-vitro results from a separate, independent laboratory study undertaken at Cardiff University by Dr Richard Stanton and his colleagues.

In their published in-vitro[2] study, scientists at Cardiff University concluded that Venture Life's two CPC based mouthwashes eradicated the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus completely (>5log reduction, equivalent to 99.999%) within a 30 second exposure. The virus was supplied by Public Health England, unlike other similar studies reported in the media, which have not used the relevant COVID-19 virus, but a related strain of it.

Cardiff University went on to state that the 'exact formulation is also important'. Whilst the CPC technology in Venture Life's mouthwash proved highly effective in the in-vitro study, they also tested a third mouthwash, which also contained both CPC and another ingredient, yet this proved ineffective. Their conclusion was that active ingredients in mouthwashes were not, on their own, enough to rely on, but rather it was the construct of the mouthwash formulations that was the critical determinant of a successful outcome. The Board considers the composition of Venture Life's CPC-based mouthwashes to be unique.

The Company looks forward to concluding the human (in-vivo) clinical study in partnership with Cardiff University and will update the market with the results in early 2021, once published.

Professor David Thomas from Cardiff University commented: "At the start of the study, we were unsure as to which over-the-counter mouthwashes would be effective against the virus. This in-vitro study clearly demonstrates that certain CPC mouthwashes inactivate the SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19) virus following a 30-second exposure in the lab. With these initially positive results in the laboratory, our clinical study of CPC-containing mouthwashes continues".

Dr Nick Claydon, Specialist Periodontologist commented: "As a Dentist, my primary focus is to keep staff and patients safe during these difficult times. The results of this in-vitro study are very encouraging and clearly demonstrate the potential for certain CPC-based mouthwashes to reduce the level of SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19) in the oral cavity.  We certainly hope these positive results will be reflected in patient studies.

These results indicate the CPC-based mouthwashes used in the in-vitro study could become an important addition to everyone's daily routine, together with hand washing, physical distancing and wearing masks, both now and in the future'.

Jerry Randall, CEO of Venture Life, commented: "Following on from a very strong H1 2020 performance, where all aspects of the business out-performed the same period 2019, we view today's in-vitro results published by Cardiff University as another positive development for our CPC-based mouthwash range.

The conclusion that our leading CPC-based mouthwash is highly effective in completely eradicating the actual COVID-19 virus in a lab setting is important, and we believe should be considered as a first step in proving the efficacy of CPC-based mouthwashes against COVID-19 in the oral cavity. We look forward to concluding the human clinical study in partnership with Cardiff University'.

This announcement contains inside information.

Link to research paper:

https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.11.13.381079v1

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About Venture Life (www.venture-life.com)

Venture Life is an international consumer self-care company focused on developing, manufacturing and commercialising products for the global self-care market. With operations in the UK, The Netherlands and Italy, the Group's product portfolio includes some key products such as the UltraDEX and Dentyl oral care product ranges, food supplements for maintaining brain function, medical devices for women's intimate healthcare, fungal infections and proctology, and dermo-cosmetics for addressing the signs of ageing.

The products, which are typically recommended by pharmacists or healthcare practitioners, are available primarily through pharmacies and grocery multiples. In the UK and The Netherlands these are supplied direct by the company to retailers, elsewhere they are supplied by the Group's international distribution partners. 

Through its Development & Manufacturing business in Italy, Biokosmes, the Group also provides development and manufacturing services to companies in the medical devices and cosmetic sectors.