As the world struggles to create a COVID-19 vaccine, some hospitals around the globe are rolling out treatment methods.
One of the most common treatment regimen for COVID-19 patients is providing them with traditional flu medications. Since there is no cure for the actual virus, medical experts are focusing instead on easing the symptoms.
Patients affected by the virus endure flu-like symptoms. In fact, COVID-19 and traditional flu are just different strains coronaviruses. Hospitals around the world are giving their patients the antiviral drug remdesivir as treatment.
Japan approves remdesivir
Many medical experts have shown their support towards the anti-viral drug remdesivir. The drug have been the subject of numerous clinical trials, most of which produce positive results. However, experts warn that remdesivir is not an actual cure.
The Japanese government recently give its approval for the use of remdesivir as treatment against coronavirus. The government claims that through a number of clinical trials, they have proven the efficacy of the drug.
This makes Japan the second country to approve remdesivir as treatment against COVID-19. Japanese medical experts said that the drug will be administered only to patients who are showing severe cases of infection.
In a statement, A Japanese health, labor and welfare official said:
“Remdesivir was approved under exceptional measures. It was our country’s first such approval for the treatment of coronavirus patients.”
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe confirms that the country is in negotiation with U.S. drug manufacturer Gilead Sciences. Additionally, the country is working a deal with the company to provide remdesivir.
Hydroxychloroquine is another possible candidate for treating COVID-19. However, initial clinical trials reveal that it might do more harm than good.
BREAKING NEWS-#Gilead announces donation of ENTIRE supply of #remdesivir for #COVID19 to #US government who will then redistribute–1.5 million vials enough to treat up to 200,000 pts. Getting ready @UCSFHospitals. #ThankYou Gilead! #ALLIN More here-https://t.co/k0VLq90Pqn
— Peter Chin-Hong MD (@PCH_SF) May 3, 2020
Llama cells could provide COVID-19 cure
In a wave of good news, medical scientists are turning their attention towards a newly identified particle from a llama named Winter. Scientists from Belgium and the United States are looking for possible antibodies from a llama.
The group is working on a project to combat the spread of coronaviruses like SARS and MERS. According to the scientists, llamas have a unique way of creating antibodies. These are called nanobodies, and that smaller fragments of an antibody.
This is not the first project to study the effects of nanobodies and their capabilities of defeating viruses such as COVID-19. In 2018, Sanofi paid $4.23 billion in order to acquire Ablynx, a company specializing in nanobodies research.
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