Preliminary results of a clinical trial suggest a new treatment for Covid-19 reduces the number of patients needing intensive care.
The treatment. Developed by Southampton-based biotech company Synairgen. Uses a protein called interferon beta which the body produces when it gets a viral infection. The protein is inhaled directly into the lungs of patients with coronavirus, using a nebuliser. The hope is that it will stimulate an immune response.
The double-blind trial involved 101 volunteers who had been admitted for treatment of Covid-19 infections at nine UK hospitals. Half were given the drug and half a placebo (an inactive substance).
Initial findings. Suggest that the treatment cut the likelihood of a patient developed severe disease (e.g. requiring ventilation) by 79%. Patients were two to three times more likely to recover to the point that everyday activities were possible. Indications were that there were very significant reductions in breathlessness. The average time spent in hospital is reported to have been reduced to six days, down from an average of nine days.
Publication and peer review. Stock market rules required the company to report preliminary results, but they have not yet been published in a peer reviewed journal. As the full data has not been released, the BBC were unable to confirm the claims. While the trial was relatively small, the indication that the treatment benefits patients was strong.
Implications. If results are as reported, it will be an important new treatment for coronavirus infections.
The double-blind trial involved 101 volunteers who had been admitted for treatment of Covid-19 infections at nine UK hospitals. Half were given the drug and half a placebo (an inactive substance).
Initial findings. Suggest that the treatment cut the likelihood of a patient developed severe disease (e.g. requiring ventilation) by 79%. Patients were two to three times more likely to recover to the point that everyday activities were possible. Indications were that there were very significant reductions in breathlessness. The average time spent in hospital is reported to have been reduced to six days, down from an average of nine days.
Publication and peer review. Stock market rules required the company to report preliminary results, but they have not yet been published in a peer reviewed journal. As the full data has not been released, the BBC were unable to confirm the claims. While the trial was relatively small, the indication that the treatment benefits patients was strong.
Implications. If results are as reported, it will be an important new treatment for coronavirus infections.
- Many governments have indicated that they will work as fast as possible to get promising coronavirus treatments approved. This could include emergency approval.
- Another possibility is that more patients will be able to receive the treatment while being monitored to confirm it is safe and effective.
- If approved for use, the drug and the nebulisers used to deliver it would then need to be made in large quantities.
- Previous clinical trials by Synairgen show it can stimulate an immune response and the patients with asthma and chronic lung conditions can comfortably tolerate the treatment.
- The Synairgen team believes the drug could be even more effective at the early stages of infection.
Source: Coronavirus: protein treatment trial 'a breakthrough' by Justin Rowatt, 20 July 2020. BBC website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-53467022.
