British scientists on the front line of the war against coronavirus say clinical tests of a possible treatment will begin NEXT WEEK
- Team at University of Southampton see hope with the inhaled drug SNG001
- It can help those with chronic lung disease fend off viruses – and it might do the same for Covid-19
- Trial, led by Prof Tom Wilkinson, will involve 100 patients at Southampton and up to ten other NHS hospitals
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
As global cases of coronavirus rise to more than 200,000, scientists around the world are working desperately to find a vaccine.
Now, a team of scientists at the University of Southampton have joined the race.
They believe that an inhaled drug called SNG001, which can help those with chronic lung disease fend off viruses, might do the same for Covid-19.
Current treatment aims to relieve the symptoms while your body fights the illness, and advice from the NHS says that people should take paracetamol to relieve symptoms, unless they have been told by doctors not to.
The Southampton-based researchers are soon to begin clinical trials with SNG001 as early as next week. It was developed to prevent severe lower respiratory tract illness caused by cold and flu infections when they spread to the lungs.
Scientists at the University of Southampton (including Dr Karl Staples, pictured) believe that an inhaled drug called SNG001, which can help those with chronic lung disease fend off viruses, might do the same for Covid-19
The trial – led by Tom Wilkinson (above), professor of respiratory medicine in the faculty of medicine and a consultant in respiratory medicine at University Hospital Southampton – will involve 100 patients at Southampton and up to ten other NHS hospitals
Phase II clinical trials in asthmatic patients have previously shown that the drug is well tolerated, enhances the lungs’ antiviral defences and improves lung function during cold or flu infection.
The trial – led by Tom Wilkinson, professor of respiratory medicine in the faculty of medicine and a consultant in respiratory medicine at University Hospital Southampton – will involve 100 patients at Southampton and up to ten other NHS hospitals.
Prof Wilkinson told the Daily Express: ‘The science definitely adds up. We’re learning a lot about the pandemic every day.
‘But that’s why we need to do this study, to understand whether the drug does work.’
Participants will receive the current Covid-19 care, while inhaling either a placebo or SNG001 – a special formulation of the naturally occurring antiviral protein interferon beta 1a (IFN-beta) – for 14 days.
Prof said: ‘Covid-19 is presenting a major challenge to vulnerable patients, the health service and wider society. While a vaccine will be key, that could some time away.
‘Right now we need effective frontline treatments to give doctors the tools to treat the most vulnerable and to help patients recover quickly as the pressure on health systems mounts.’
The pandemic has seen eerily empty streets in London. Above, Westminster Bridge yesterday
A commuter wears a mask as a precaution while travelling on the London Underground on Wednesday
The trial will be undertaken with Synairgen, a drug development company founded by University of Southampton professors Stephen Holgate, Donna Davies and Ratko Djukanovic.
Richard Marsden, chief executive of of Synairgen, added: ‘We have worked intensively with the relevant authorities and collaborators to enable SNG001 to be assessed in Covid-19 patients.
‘A successful outcome from this trial in Covid-19 patients would be a major breakthrough in the fight against this coronavirus pandemic.’
Prof Ian Hall, professor of molecular medicine, University of Nottingham, said: ‘The Synairgen trial, which has been given expedited approval by the regulatory authorities, involves administering a drug called interferon beta, which is a molecule which forms part of the lungs’ own defence mechanism to fight off viruses.
‘The idea behind the trial is that by giving more of this molecule to the lung, this could help reduce the severity of infection with Covid-19, especially in those people who have reduced immune responses to the virus.’
Researchers across the world are working on developing various specific medications to treat Covid-19.
This includes treatments such as Chloroquine which is usually used to treat malaria, and Remdesivir which is a potent antiviral in current development as an anti-Ebola virus treatment.