Börse Express – Is this a breakthrough against the corona virus?

Many pharmaceutical companies are currently developing a vaccine against the coronavirus, but in most cases it will probably be too late in this pandemic, because it must also be safe so that in the end it does no more harm than cure.

On the other hand, a product that would prevent the worst consequences of the virus and that is already on the market would be more readily available. There is currently a whole range of viral agents that curb virus replication in the body.

Australian researchers test ivermectin

For example, researchers at the Australian Monsah University (Melbourne) and the Peter Doherty Institute of Infection and Immunity at the University of Melbourne have now found that ivermectin kills the DNA of the coronavirus within two days. “We found that a single dose can remove all of the viral RNA in 48 hours. And after just 24 hours, we noticed a significant reduction in the genome, ”says study director Kylie Wagstaff.

How exactly the remedy works has not yet been fully clarified. The researchers suspect that it protects the host cells of the organism and thus dampens the effects of the virus. A virus always needs a host cell to be able to reproduce. In the case of the corona virus, our body does not yet have any antibodies, so it can reproduce unhindered.

Ivermectin was originally developed against ectoparasites such as lice, mites or ticks and against roundworms. It is mainly used in veterinary medicine to prevent infectious diseases caused by parasites. The product has been approved under the Mectizan trade name since 1987 and is used by Merck & Co (WKN: A0YD8Q). So far it has been used in humans in the case of scabies and rosaceca. In studies, it continued to work against Zika viruses, influenza, HIV viruses and dengue fever.

So far, the effect has only been determined in the laboratory. Studies on humans now follow. A big advantage of ivermectin would be that it has already been researched and approved so that it can be safely dosed and used. A second and third advantage are the availability and the existing production capacities. The latter could be adapted very quickly to the needs.

The researchers will know in a month at least how the drug works against the virus in humans. But it can already be concluded with some certainty that ivermectin could work in humans. This would be very good news and shows how quickly mankind adapts to the circumstances and will ultimately overcome the virus.

Other means give hope

So had Bayers (WKN: BAY001) anti-malarial drug Resochin (Active ingredient chloroquine phosphate) in the first tests prove that it inhibits the proliferation of coronaviruses in the body. This remedy has also been approved and researched for many decades, so that it could be used relatively quickly. However, high doses are necessary here, which in turn cause side effects.

In addition, the specialist specializes in rare diseases Gilead Sciences (WKN: 885823) currently the effect of its remedy remdesivir. It was originally developed for use against Ebola and the Marburg virus and is currently being tested in studies on coronavirus patients.

According to the company, the first results are expected to be available in April this year. Remdesivir inhibits the multiplication of viruses within the body and since all viruses reproduce in a similar way, the agent could work. But the study may still fail.

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