10 July 2020 - - Laboratory testing at the Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore, has confirmed the effectiveness of its Betadine antiseptic products against the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) which causes COVID-19 disease, Germany-based pharmaceutical company Mundipharma said.

Testing has demonstrated Betadine's strong in-vitro virucidal activity, killing 99.99% of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in 30 seconds. The products subjected to testing were: Betadine antiseptic products, namely Solution (10% PVP-I), Skin Cleanser (7.5% PVP-I), Gargle and Mouthwash (1.0% PVP-I) and Throat Spray (0.45% PVP-I).

The research has been published in the respected Infectious Disease and Therapy Journal on 08 July 2020.

The study conducted at Duke-NUS is complemented by Laboratory testing completed at the Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Center (TIDREC) at the University of Malaya, Malaysia, that also demonstrated strong in-vitro virucidal activity, with the tested product Betadine Gargle and Mouthwash (1.0% PVP-I) killing 99.99% of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in 15 seconds.

The TIDREC research has been accepted by the British Dental Journal and was published as a Letter on 26 June 2020. The journal is published by Springer Nature on behalf of the British Dental Association.

Previously, Betadine antiseptic products containing povidone iodine (PVP-I) have been proven effective in vitro against a wide range of viruses, including coronaviruses that have caused major outbreaks such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.

The Betadine antiseptic range contains Povidone-iodine (PVP-I), which is highly effective against a wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi and is typically used in hospitals.

Mundipharma's independent associated companies are privately owned entities covering the world's pharmaceutical markets.

Mundipharma offers novel treatment options in fields such as pain, oncology, oncology supportive care, ophthalmology, respiratory disease and consumer healthcare.

The Betadine range of products have been trusted by hospitals and consumers around the world for over 60 years to prevent and treat infections.