This is another great step forward for the scientific world. The Institut Pasteur de Lille (IPL) has been involved since the start of the coronavirus epidemic in the search for a treatment against the disease. After months of research, the Foundation can finally start its clinical trials on humans.
Trials in the Hauts-de-France region
It was the ANSM, the National Medicines Safety Agency, which gave the green light on Saturday, June 12. The Therapide clinical trial can therefore begin. The Director General of the IPL, Xavier Nassif, would ideally like to start ” at the end of the month ” of June. To carry out this test, as a first step, 346 patients from the Hauts-de-France region will be recruited with the help of general practitioners and laboratories. The objective is to “ test this experimental treatment in the early management of Covid patients, in double blind versus placebo “. The IPL specifies that a ” recent positive test, be over 50 years old, have at least one symptom and not have been vaccinated Are the conditions for participating in the clinical trial. Volunteers must also live in the area.
Clofoctol, in suppository form
It is thanks to a collaboration between the IPL and the biotech Apteeus, that the researchers discovered a particularly interesting molecule to fight against the Covid-19. The advantage of this antiviral is that it has already been marketed and therefore the side effects are known and apparently not serious. The first results were promising, because Clofoctol prevents the virus from multiplying in cells. Indeed, it would be effective in reducing the viral load, especially in people recently infected with the virus. Thus, taking the treatment quickly can prevent the onset of a severe form of Covid-19. Participants will need to take the medicine, which comes in suppository form, twice a day for five days. It will then be a question of monitoring patients at home and observing the evolution of symptoms.
The two groups will be compared, the one that received the placebo and the one that received the treatment. As indicated by Benoît Deprez, Scientific Director of the Lille Foundation, if the trial shows that Clofoctol has an effectiveness of 50%, that is to say that it reduces the risk of aggravation by half, the next step will be initiated. The IPL will then be able to apply for marketing authorization for its treatment, which will eventually be made available to patients.
