It seems the herald scum is going down the online subscription path, so i cant read this particular articel.
But a quick google search shows what poo rag the paper is.
It seems that just like their influenza drug, it does not prevent, or even cure( as wrongly indicated in the headline) it's target disease, but reduces the severity of infection.
This trial was for asthmatics, not healthy people.
"medical trials for its novel anti-influenza technology in the treatment of serious asthma cases"
"Biota yesterday announced that stage two of a clinical study into the treatment of human rhinovirus, the main cause of the common cold, resulted in a significant reduction in the severity and duration of cold symptoms in asthmatics, compared with those using a placebo."
"Biota chief executive Peter Cook said it was designed to treat patients with underlying respiratory conditions, such as asthma and cystic fibrosis, for whom the virus was a major cause of serious illness"
"...the drug would not be economically viable for otherwise healthy patients with common colds that did not warrant treatment."
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/biota-cold-drug-test-20120328-1vypk.htmlHow that shitrag can come up with those headlines is beyond comprehension.