The coronavirus threat continues to grow, with two confirmed deaths in the United States and more infections around the globe, particularly in Europe and the Middle East. Meanwhile, President Trump held another press briefing with infectious disease experts to attempt to alleviate panic as well as announce more travel restrictions on countries with major outbreaks.
While all signs point to the virus continuing to spread in the United States and the world, it's not all dismal: Gilead is expanding trials of an antiviral drug showing promise in treating COVID-19, reports The New York Times.
The drug: During the Ebola outbreak a few years ago, BIO member Gilead Sciences developed a promising antiviral, remdesivir, which they think could be an effective treatment for the new coronavirus.
The trials: They’re currently testing the experimental drug in Wuhan, China, where the virus is believed to have originated, and plan to launch two more trials in March involving approximately 1,000 patients, including patients in Asia as well as in Nebraska, according to the New York Times.
The results: The Wuhan results are expected as early as April—though already, a patient in Washington State seemed to improve after receiving remdesivir.
What’s policy got to do with it? Everything. This kind of R&D is risky and expensive—and drug policy proposals on the table, like an international price index, would make it more difficult for companies like Gilead to move so quickly on research and trials. We’re hopeful drug manufacturers will drive this point home when they meet with Trump at the White House today.
Check out our new infographic about what BIO members are doing to fight the coronavirus.
More Health Care News:
STAT: Partisan bickering delayed Zika funding for months. With coronavirus, experts worry history will repeat itself
“Congress… dawdled for seven months because of an acrimonious fight over funding for Zika in 2016. That left health departments around the country cash-strapped and forced to cut back on existing public health programs, like responding to STD outbreaks. The long delay left the federal government no choice but to plunder funds meant for cancer research, heart disease, and fighting HIV to pay for their response efforts.”
The Wall Street Journal: Big drugmakers warn about coronavirus impact on business
“To get ahead of any disruptions to supplies from China, some pharmaceutical companies have begun looking for alternative sources of drug ingredients and supplies.”