[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] Clinical research to repurpose existing drugs as treatments for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is set to begin. A total of 141 participants will take part in clinical research aimed at utilizing an asthma treatment, confirmed to be the most effective against COVID-19, as an actual therapeutic agent.
Clinical Trial for 'COVID-19 Treatment' Begins with 141 Participants
On the 26th, an asymptomatic foreigner who arrived on a passenger flight from London, UK, is undergoing a COVID-19 test at an open screening clinic (Open Walking Thru type) set up in the outdoor area of Terminal 2 at Incheon International Airport. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@
On the 29th, according to the Korea Pasteur Institute, multiple hospitals including Korea University Guro Hospital, Ajou University Hospital, Chungbuk National University Hospital, and Hallym University Gangnam Sacred Heart Hospital submitted investigator-initiated clinical trial plans based on the institute's research results and obtained approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS).
An investigator-initiated clinical trial refers to a clinical study conducted by a clinical trial investigator without external requests, using drugs whose safety and efficacy have not been verified or drugs already on the market.
These hospitals will administer Alvesco to patients with mild COVID-19 to verify its therapeutic effects. A total of 141 individuals will participate as subjects in the clinical research.
The institute submitted the clinical trial plan to the MFDS and received approval within one day. Normally, this process takes about 30 days, but the MFDS approved the institute's plan through expedited review.
Ciclesonide Shows the Greatest Efficacy Against COVID-19
On the 24th, Eastar Jet decided to suspend all domestic flights following the suspension of international flights due to the spread of COVID-19. It is the first shutdown among South Korean airlines. On the same day, the Eastar Jet ticket counter at the domestic terminal of Gimpo Airport in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, was quiet. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@
Since February, the Korea Pasteur Institute has been conducting drug repurposing research to identify existing drugs with therapeutic effects against COVID-19. The institute carried out studies infecting cells with the virus and comparing the degree of treatment, revealing that among a total of 24 drugs, ciclesonide, the main ingredient of Alvesco, showed the greatest efficacy.
Ciclesonide demonstrated antiviral activity equal to or superior to that of remdesivir, Kaletra, and chloroquine, which are currently undergoing clinical trials domestically and internationally. In Japan, there have been reports of patients recovering after being treated with ciclesonide. The Japanese Society of Infectious Diseases is conducting observational studies.
Meanwhile, the Korea Pasteur Institute will continue drug repurposing research to discover additional substances with excellent efficacy against COVID-19. Through close collaboration with related organizations such as the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology and the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases, the institute plans to produce practical research results and continuously provide them to medical fields.
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