Using mushrooms to fight viruses?!

Just received the note below from TED speaker Paul Stamets (a mind-shifting talk on the world seen from the viewpoint of fungi).

I believe he's had interest from CDC on his work for possible swine flu protection.  Some will be bemused and possibly annoyed that he's applying for a patent on a mushroom compound. But I'm sure he'd argue that the patent system creates the incentive - and the resources - to do the amazing research he does.  

Watch this space.  This could turn into a really interesting story.  (AI = Active Ingredient).

From: paul stamets 
Date: May 29, 2009 7:44:51 AM PDT
Subject: new patent application of mushroom derivatives dually active against viral and bacterial pathogens

Friends

See new patent application just published. Good read.

Lots more data that reinforces this IP.

We are very close to identifying the AI's, and according to my contacts  to be more potent and less toxic than 'any antiviral they have ever tested'.

This and a series of derivative, related patents are likely to issue. NIH has pre-approved us for small mammal studies. We think these new AI's  will be effective against a broad range of viral and bacterial species, due to their unique chemistry.

Thanks to all of you for your support, especially to the U.S. gov't  BioShield BioDefense program, who made this possible !

Cheers !

Paul