The Swedish-British laboratory AstraZeneca announced on Monday that its treatment against diabetes, Farxiga, is not effective in treating patients with severe COVID-19, according to the first results of some clinical tests, informs AFP.
Clinical trials on Farxiga ‘have not reached a sufficient statistical level’ to prevent mortality, the group said in a statement.
These are the first results of phase 3 clinical trials performed on a sample of 1,250 people, in collaboration with the American Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases Saint Luke’s Mid America.
The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of Farxiga in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and who are at risk of developing complications, especially those who already have other conditions such as hypertension, diabetes or heart or kidney disease.
The full test results will be revealed in May.
This is a new failure for AstraZeneca, whose vaccine against COVID-19 raises many questions, especially about possible side effects such as blood clots, notes AFP.
Some countries have stopped using the vaccine, while others have set other age limits. For example, this vaccine is reserved for people over 30 in the United Kingdom, where it has been used en masse.
Serum distribution is also disrupted, with regular delays, as happened last week in the European Union.
AstraZeneca is also developing an antibody treatment against COVID-19, with the latest tests being conducted worldwide.
The US government has funded the development of this drug and the group plans to deliver up to 700,000 doses in the US this year.
Source: PRESSONLINE
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