Old antivirals to be investigated for treating COVID-19

A UK project is looking at repurposing 138 existing antivirals to find effective combinations
Reuters Health

UK researchers are planning to assess almost 140 antiviral drugs to find combinations that are effective against SARS-CoV-2.

The project team from three universities wants to repurpose existing therapies to treat COVID-19 in an attempt to sidestep lengthy development processes through readily available drugs.

Using a “data-driven approach” they will initially screen 138 drugs with known antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 to identify potent combinations, the university said in a statement on Friday.

The most effective combinations will be presented to UK health authorities, including the Antiviral Taskforce, so they can be added to clinical trials.