Pancreatitis Drug To Be Tested For Coronavirus
Japanese researchers say they have learned that a drug used to treat acute pancreatitis may be effective for infections of the new coronavirus.
A team led by Junichiro Inoue, professor at the University of Tokyo's Institute of Medical Science, made the remarks at a news conference on Wednesday.
The researchers said they found during laboratory tests that the drug, nafamostat mesylate, may be able to block the virus from entering human cells and proliferating.
The drug has been used to treat acute pancreatitis for about 30 years.
The researchers said they will start clinical tests of the drug on coronavirus patients later this month at the earliest, jointly with the National Center for Global Health and Medicine.
The effectiveness and safety of other drugs in treating the patients are being studied in Japan. Such drugs include those designed to prevent the onset of AIDS or to treat influenza.
Four years ago, the research team released a study result that said nafamostat mesylate may be effective in treating the MERS virus, which is another type of coronavirus.
Inoue said they hope to start clinical tests soon, and will consider combining it with other promising drugs.
