Pharmafile.com’s weekly COVID-19 news round-up
pharmafile | October 21, 2020 | News story | Research and Development | COVID-19, coronavirus
The coronavirus news this week focuses on COVID-19 treatments, with Gilead’s remdesivir being found to have no impact on mortality from the virus in a new WHO study, while Eli Lilly has stopped enrolling volunteers in clinical trials of its antibody treatment for the novel coronavirus over safety concerns.
In other news, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that regulators have given approval to a second coronavirus vaccine and people experiencing chronic illnesses after COVID-19 infections could be suffering from one of four separate conditions, according to new research.
1. Eli Lilly COVID-19 antibody therapy trial paused over safety concerns – Published 14/10/20
Eli Lilly has stopped enrolling volunteers in clinical trials of its antibody treatment for the novel coronavirus over safety concerns.
2. 80 researchers argue COVID-19 herd immunity strategy is a “dangerous fallacy” in open letter – Published on 15/10/20
A group of 80 researchers have lent their signatures to an open letter published in the The Lancet under the title ‘Scientific consensus on the COVID-19 pandemic: We need to act now’, warning in particular against the resurgence of the pursuit of herd immunity as a credible strategy to combat national outbreaks of the novel coronavirus.
3. Gilead’s remdesivir and three other repurposed drugs have no impact on COVID-19 mortality, WHO study finds – Published 16/10/20
Gilead’s antiviral therapy remdesivir has emerged as one of the most promising drugs to treat COVID-19 infections, but recent studies of four therapies repurposed for COVID-19 have blown a hole in the theory that it could be used to reduce mortality in those infected with the virus.
4. Russia gives regulatory approval to second COVID-19 vaccine after early clinical trials – Published on 15/10/20
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Wednesday that regulators had given approval to a second coronavirus vaccine.
5. ‘Long COVID’ could be taking four different forms – Published on 16/10/20
People experiencing chronic illnesses after COVID-19 infections could be suffering from one of four separate conditions, according to new research.
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