"A chemical found in the dogfish shark could be a safe and potent weapon against human viruses, say scientists."

"Noting how powerful the shark's natural immunity to viral infections is, the researchers set about finding out why.

They already knew that the fish makes a compound called squalamine that it uses to fighting off bacteria.

Lab tests revealed squalamine is also a good antiviral candidate, killing a broad spectrum of human and animal viruses, PNAS journal reports."

BBC News had the story September 20, 2011. [2]