While remdesivir has shown promise in reducing recovery times of hospitalised patients, the search continues for additional treatment options. Interest in Avigan soared in March after a Chinese official said that it appeared to help patients recover from COVID-19, the flu-like infection caused by the coronavirus. Developed by Ono Pharmceutical, most famous for its blockbuster Opdivo cancer drug, camostat is a protease inhibitor that has been used primarily to treat pancreatitis and some types of cancer. The company is now supplying the drug for COVID-19 studies in Japan and overseas, according to spokesman Yukio Tani. Itzchak Levy at the Sheba Medical Center in Israel launched a self-funded camostat trial in April.

Source: Standard Digital May 12, 2020 22:52 UTC