(Reuters) – An experimental drug that was originally developed to treat influenza has shown promise against SARS-CoV-2 , and could defend against COVID-19 from two directions, researchers said.
The drug, zapnometinib, or ATR-002, could be able to stop the virus from multiplying in cells. It also could reduce the severity of COVID-19-related disease as evidenced through test tube studies.
Researchers claimed that the research published in Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences provided the basis for Atriva Therapeutics being approved by the German Institute of Drugs and Medicinal Products for the drug to be tested on human beings.
Stephan Ludwig, co-author of the study at the University of Münster and the press release that this is the first time any drug has been shown have a dual effect on COVID-19. “Positive results from the currently-running clinical study on humans could be a precursor to an urgent approval this year,” Ludwig said.
SOURCE: https://bit.ly/33lZSWn Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, online January 10, 2022.
