Domestic researchers claim they have developed a preventive medicine for diseases such as the low pathogenic avian influenza and severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS.

A venture firm based in the Daedeok R&D cluster and a Yonsei University team led by Professor Seong Baek-rin say they have developed a material that can ward off low virulent strains of the bird flu.

They claimed the medicine can prevent both the bird flu and the flu virus in humans due to its potent antiviral effects.

The researchers will request a trusted British agency to test the drug to see if it also works for the highly pathogenic avian influenza.