Seoul National University Hospital and Central Medical Center Conduct COVID-19 Clinical Trials Using Ebola Treatment 'Remdesivir'

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Seoul National University Hospital and the National Medical Center are conducting clinical research using the Ebola treatment drug 'Remdesivir.'

On the 23rd, Bang Ji-hwan, Director of the Central Infectious Disease Hospital Center, stated at a press conference of the Central Clinical Committee held at the National Medical Center, "Among the treatment candidates, Remdesivir, which is receiving the most attention and is known to be effective in animal experiments, is undergoing clinical research at Seoul National University Hospital and the National Medical Center."

Remdesivir is a drug developed by the pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences, which developed the flu treatment 'Tamiflu,' originally as an Ebola treatment.

Director Bang explained, "The safety of Remdesivir as an Ebola treatment has been somewhat proven, but its effectiveness was less than expected," adding, "We believe it may be effective against COVID-19, so research is underway."

Earlier, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety authorized six institutions?including Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul Metropolitan Boramae Medical Center operated by the hospital, Bundang Seoul National University Hospital, the National Medical Center, Seoul Medical Center, and Kyungpook National University Hospital?to prescribe Remdesivir to COVID-19 patients for clinical trials.

Along with Remdesivir, other drugs attracting attention as new treatments for COVID-19 include the AIDS treatment 'Kaletra' and the malaria treatments 'Chloroquine' and 'Hydroxychloroquine.' Recently, French researchers announced study results demonstrating the effectiveness of malaria drugs on confirmed COVID-19 patients.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.