Old antivirals to be investigated for treating COVID-19
A UK project is looking at repurposing 138 existing antivirals to find effective combinations
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.
