An Australian biotechnology company is claiming to have isolated a natural extract from seaweed which has been shown to inhibit the H1N1 virus. The breakthrough offers new home for the containment of influenza outbreaks.

The extract - known as Maritech 926 - is a fucoidan compound derived from the Undaria pinnatifida species of seaweed. In vitro tests performed under contract by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the US, have shown that Maritech 926 can inhibit the H1N1 influenza virus at extremely low concentrations.

Developed by biotechnology company Marinova Pty Ltd, Maritech 926 is a natural polysaccharide which has immediate market potential in nutritional supplements, hand washes and nasal delivery products which target the spread and prevention of viral conditions. Scope also exists for the compound to be included in pharmaceutical and medical device applications. As a result of these findings, Marinova has filed for patent protection over the application of Maritech 926 and other fucoidan extracts in a range of anti-viral applications.

In announcing the findings and patent filing, Marinova's Senior Scientist, Dr Helen Fitton, said: "Fucoidan extracts such as Maritech 926 are known to have significant inhibitory effects on a range of coated viruses. We are particularly excited by the fact that these seaweed extracts have now been shown to have an inhibitory effect on H1N1 at extremely low concentrations. With H1N1 already becoming resistant to some other antiviral agents, we believe that Maritech 926 offers a potent, natural alternative which supports the immune system against viral attacks".