Coronavirus: Can repurposed drugs treat infection?

Islamabad (29th Feb, 2020): Latest study suggests repurposing drugs may be a potent solution towards treatment of the novel Coronavirus, COVID-19.

According to the most recent study that focus on antiviral drugs, scientists believe they can repurpose drugs to treat the coronavirus.

Latest reports from the World Health Organization (WHO), suggests that there are approximately 81, 109 confirmed cases of COVID-19. A condition caused by infection from the SARS-CoV2.

According to latest reports, about 2,762 people have died due to contraction of the virus. Although there is no evident cure for it, experts speculate that being quarantined and resting can help ease the process. However, there is no medical help as of now.

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Scientists believe that while healthier adults can rely on their immune systems for protection from the virus, the lack of a cure is worrisome for people especially those who have a weaker immune system, or have been ill most recently. Moreover, people who suffer from cardiovascular disease(s) and/or hypertension, diabetes, and even respiratory issues, are more prone to getting infected.

As a consequence, Europe-based scientists are looking into a wide-range of existing broad-spectrum antiviral drugs. They are of the opinion that repurposing the drugs may prove to be the treatment for COVID-19. Senior study-author, Denis Kainov, who is an associate professor for the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, has reportedly analysed the information regarding 119 antiviral agents that are considered safe-for-man, and popularly known as broad-spectrum antiviral agents (BSAA), respectively. Experts argue that BSAA’s are generally compounds that help to fight against viruses belonging to “two or more viral families”.

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Moreover, the study authors elaborate that the ‘paradigm’ of one drug used for treatment from one virus is now transforming into the idea of a single drug used to cure multiple viruses. Kainov argues that this transformation is a direct result of the BSAA’s which is why they were created, to basically cure multiple viral infections with just one medication.

Kainov and team further added that there are advantages to ‘repurposing’ existing drugs instead of creating a new drug to fight against viral infections. A primary advantage, according to the research team is that, the required data is already available to them, such as:

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chemical synthesis steps,
manufacturing processes,
reliable safety,
pharmacokinetic properties in [animal models] and early clinical developmental phases (phase 0, I, and IIa)

[bs-quote quote=”Drug repurposing is a strategy for generating additional value from an existing drug by targeting diseases other than that for which it was originally intended.” style=”style-8″ align=”center” color=”#dd0000″ author_name=”Denis Kainov” author_job=”Study author”][/bs-quote]

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Additionally, they explain that there is a ‘higher probability of success’ with regards to market value at a ‘significantly reduced cost’ of manufacturing including time taken to repurpose which is also far less in comparison. Thereby, they argue that repurposing is better than discovering and/or creating a new drug. However, some antibiotics may also help to fight against the COVID-19.

To begin with, the researchers narrowed down the original 119 antiviral agents for the treatment and prevention of infections caused by SARS-CoV-2, respectively.

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[bs-quote quote=”For example, chloroquine and remdesivir effectively inhibited 2019-nCoV virus infection in vitro.” style=”style-8″ align=”center” color=”#dd0000″ author_name=”Study Authors”][/bs-quote]

They ague that scientists can look into repurposing drugs such as teicoplanin, oritavancin, dalbavancin, including monensin and emetine for the treatment of COVID-19.

Kainov argues that teicoplanin, oritavancin, dalbavancin, and monensin are approved antibiotics that ‘inhibit corona – and other viruses’ in the laboratories. Conversely, while medical experts do not advise the use of antibiotics for treating viruses, however, latest studies suggest the need to repurpose antibiotics an antiviral agents, respectively.

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Additionally, the researchers have declared their findings to be and ‘open access database’ that can help in treatment of COVID-19. They argue that:

[bs-quote quote=”In the future, BSAAs will have global impact by decreasing morbidity and mortality from viral and other diseases, maximizing the number of healthy life years, improving the quality of life (for people with the virus), and decreasing the costs of patient care.” style=”style-8″ align=”center” color=”#dd0000″ author_name=”Kainov & Colleagues” author_job=”Study Authors “][/bs-quote]

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