China To Start Testing a Potential Cure for Coronavirus

• In a conference held in Wuhan, health authorities have announced that China will begin clinical trials for a potential cure for coronavirus.
• The drug, called remdesivir, is made by American pharmaceutical company Gilead.
• So far, the medicine has proven safe and effective for US’ first coronavirus patient.

With the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) continuing to spread in all parts of China and reaching several countries across the globe, health professionals are working double time to develop a treatment for the dreaded disease.

As of the present time, there is still no known cure for the said virus but the good news is: we’re finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. According to recent reports, China has already started enrolling patients for a clinical trial of an antiviral medicine that may potentially help fight the coronavirus.

Remdesivir, a potential cure for coronavirus.

In a conference, Wang Chen, president of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, has officially confirmed that China has scheduled two clinical trials in Wuhan, the epicenter of the virus, for 500 infected patients. One group will be composed of those who are severely sick and another of those who are hospitalized but are in a better condition.

The drug, made by American pharmaceutical firm Gilead, has already been tested in infected mice and monkeys with satisfying results. The medicine also “appears to be safe” and “without ill effects,” reported NewYorkTimes.

Meanwhile in the United States, physicians have previously administered remdesivir to the country’s first coronavirus patient as his health declined and as he developed pneumonia. His condition showed improvement the following day.

Despite this, Gilead has been quick to point out that a single case is still not sufficient evidence that the cure will work for all patients.

Company spokesperson Ryan McKeel explained:

“It is important to keep in mind that this is an experimental medicine that has only been used in a small number of patients with 2019-nCoV to date, so we do not have an appropriately robust understanding of the effect of this drug to warrant broad use at this time.”

If the medicine does prove effective, Gilead is assuring the public that they are doing their best to make remdesivir available for more people.

“There are currently limited available clinical supplies of remdesivir, but we are working to increase our available supply as rapidly as possible,” promised McKeel.