Sirona Biochem Initiates COVID-19 and Infectious Diseases Development Program

VANCOUVER, March 31, 2020 /CNW/ - Sirona Biochem Corp. (TSX-V: SBM) (FSE: ZSB) (US-OTC: SRBCF) ("Sirona") is excited to announce its French subsidiary lab TFChem has initiated an antiviral program to produce potential new antiviral agents to assist in combating COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.

After two months of extensive research, TFChem scientists have determined the proprietary platform technology can be applied to develop new antiviral compounds. Work on this program has begun with a goal to produce new therapies in three current antiviral categories: Neuraminidase Inhibitors, Nucleoside Analogs and Iminosugars. These categories are all Glycosides with a carbohydrate core and therefore suitable for application of the technology. The goal is to develop novel multi-target antiviral compounds, affecting different steps of the viral life cycle. The company believes there is a high therapeutic potential for these Glycosides.

Viruses are a leading cause of death globally. Therapies to treat most viral infections are limited and the emergence of new viruses can greatly endanger society, as is currently the case with the pandemic caused by COVID-19, also known as Coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2. There is a need to identify novel, effective and safe drugs to treat viral infections. Awareness of the value of this project and other antiviral projects ongoing globally has become apparent.

"We have the financial resources to initiate this project and anticipate we will secure further non-dilutive financing to support the project ongoing. We are working to secure new senior laboratory technicians to join our current team at TFChem and have identified suitable candidates within France that will greatly expand our capabilities. We will also reach out to our current partners to explore how their capabilities can assist us in this project. None of these efforts will affect our current core projects which are principally managed by different team members than are involved in early stage compound synthesis," said Dr. Howard Verrico, CEO of Sirona Biochem.

"These are difficult times with our global battle against COVID-19. We are receiving tremendous support from the French government and have a dedicated team who are always searching for new opportunities to apply our technology. Dr. Géraldine Deliencourt-Godefroy, our Chief Scientific Officer, has a proven ability to identify projects with significant probabilities of clinical success. On her recommendation and the recognition to potentially deliver novel therapies that can benefit the global population, we have decided to proceed with this program," Dr. Verrico added.

About Sirona Biochem Corp.

Sirona Biochem is a cosmetic ingredient and drug discovery company with a proprietary platform technology. Sirona's subsidiary lab, TFChem, specializes in stabilizing carbohydrate molecules with the goal of improving efficacy and safety. New compounds are patented for maximum revenue potential.

Sirona's compounds are licensed to leading companies around the world in return for licensing fees, milestone fees and ongoing royalty payments.

For more information, please visit www.sironabiochem.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Sirona Biochem cautions you that statements included in this press release that are not a description of historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are only predictions based upon current expectations and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of release of the relevant information, unless explicitly stated otherwise.  Actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, Sirona Biochem's forward-looking statements due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in Sirona Biochem's business including, without limitation, statements about: the progress and timing of its clinical trials; difficulties or delays in development, testing, obtaining regulatory approval, producing and marketing its products; unexpected adverse side effects or inadequate therapeutic efficacy of its products that could delay or prevent product development or commercialization; the scope and validity of patent protection for its products; competition from other pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies; and its ability to obtain additional financing to support its operations. Sirona Biochem does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required by law.

SOURCE Sirona Biochem Corp.

regarding this press release, please contact: Investor Enquiries: Jonathan Williams, Managing Director, Momentum PR, Phone: [phone], Email: [email protected]; Corporate Enquiries: Dr. Howard Verrico, CEO, Chairman of the Board, Sirona Biochem Corp., Phone: [phone], Email: [email protected]