Treating COVID-19: Bipolar drug shows promise and other hopeful findings

ISLAMABAD, August 22 (online): We continue our Hope Behind the Headlines series by exploring the most recent  and most hopeful  findings in the field of COVID-19 research.

Hopefully, the COVID-19 pandemic will not last forever. Every 2 weeks, we round up the recently published evidence that reminds us of this.

In our last installment, we reported on a vaccine candidate that showed promise in monkeys and a new trial that tested an existing drug, among other innovations.

In this feature, we discover another existing drug that could treat the infection. We also learn about T cells and how a new blood test could speed up vaccine development and mass screening.

Furthermore, we zoom in on a class of immune-modifying drugs that may be the most effective treatment for severe forms of the disease.

Researchers have found that a drug that doctors currently use for treating conditions as varied as bipolar disorder and hearing loss also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties make it a good candidate for treating COVID-19.

The drug is called Ebselen, and the fact that it is already in use indicates its safety. Furthermore, previous evidence has shown that Ebselen can block enzymes that the new coronavirus needs for replicating within healthy host cells.

This enzyme is called Mpro, and researchers have described this protease as “indispensable” for the replication of SARS-CoV-2. As a result, Mpro is an excellent drug candidate.

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