Russia Claims Development of COVID-19 Treatments: "Three Types Developed, Ready for Clinical Trials"

Following Announcement of Therapeutic Development by Russian Medical and Biological Agency

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] The deputy director of the Russian Academy of Sciences has claimed that Russian experts have developed three types of new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) treatments, and clinical trials could soon take place.

According to RIA Novosti on the 30th (local time), Dr. Vladimir Chekhonin, deputy director of the Russian Academy of Sciences and head of the medical and biological division, announced that three treatments potentially usable for COVID-19 have been developed with the participation of experts affiliated with the Academy.

According to Dr. Chekhonin, the first COVID-19 treatment is the antiviral drug "Triazavirin," developed several years ago by the Postovsky Institute of Organic Synthesis, part of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. He introduced, "Currently, an inhalation form of Triazavirin, exclusively for COVID-19 treatment, has been created," adding, "This drug is already prepared to be delivered for trials at specialized (medical) facilities."

Another treatment is the antiviral drug "Favipiravir," for which the Postovsky Institute of Organic Synthesis jointly developed a synthesis method with the Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry in Moscow. Favipiravir was previously developed in Japan as a treatment for infections caused by RNA viruses, the same type as the virus causing COVID-19. Dr. Chekhonin stated that the drug, successfully synthesized by Russian experts, is also ready to be submitted for trials.

The other treatment, "Fortepren," was developed based on "Fosprenil," used for treating coronavirus infections in animals, jointly by the Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology and the Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry. Chekhonin explained, "This drug has passed all clinical trials and has also been tested on humans," adding, "Currently, it is in the registration process, and once completed, it will be submitted for testing its effectiveness against COVID-19."

Dr. Chekhonin also explained that three types of COVID-19 vaccines are being developed with the participation of experts from the Russian Academy of Sciences. Development is underway not only at the State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology "Vector" in Novosibirsk but also at the Faculty of Biology of Moscow State University (MGU), the Shemyakin?Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, and the Vavilov Institute of General Genetics.

Earlier, on the 28th, the Medical and Biological Agency under the Russian Ministry of Health announced in a press release that "the Pharmzashchita Research Center of the Medical and Biological Agency has developed a treatment for coronavirus infection based on the antimalarial drug Mefloquine, utilizing experiences from China and France."