Researchers Paul Hagedoorn and Erik Frijlink of the University of Groningen are working on a medicine against malaria, so that it can possibly be used against corona. They try to work the drug in such a way that it can be inhaled. 'You then bring the medicines directly to the target area, the lungs,' says researcher Paul Hagedoorn in the
href = "https://www.ukrant.nl/magazine/coronamedicijn-bestaat-misschien-al/" target = "_ blank"> Ukrant. In order to make the substances that make up the drug suitable for inhalation, the particles in those substances must be miniscule. "As if you have to shrink a grain of sugar 25 million times," says Hagedoorn.
It could take years
Hagedoorn hopes that the drug can eventually be tested on healthy care providers. Animal testing is not necessary because it is an existing drug that is used differently, the UK newspaper writes. But all kinds of protocols have to be followed, so according to Erik Frijlink it will be on the market in a few years at the earliest. "We will not solve the current corona crisis with it."
He emphasizes that it is very unlikely that it actually works against corona.
Update: this message first incorrectly stated that Hagedoorn had developed the drug. It is about the way of administering an existing medicine.
https://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/220259/RUG-onderzoekt-effect-malariamedicijn-op-corona
Researchers Paul Hagedoorn and Erik Frijlink of the University of Groningen are working on a medicine against malaria, so that it can possibly be used against corona. They try to work the drug in such a way that it can be inhaled. 'You then bring the medicines directly to the target area, the lungs,' says researcher Paul Hagedoorn in the
href = "https://www.ukrant.nl/magazine/coronamedicijn-bestaat-misschien-al/" target = "_ blank"> Ukrant. In order to make the substances that make up the drug suitable for inhalation, the particles in those substances must be miniscule. "As if you have to shrink a grain of sugar 25 million times," says Hagedoorn.
It could take years
Hagedoorn hopes that the drug can eventually be tested on healthy care providers. Animal testing is not necessary because it is an existing drug that is used differently, the UK newspaper writes. But all kinds of protocols have to be followed, so according to Erik Frijlink it will be on the market in a few years at the earliest. "We will not solve the current corona crisis with it."
He emphasizes that it is very unlikely that it actually works against corona.
Update: this message first incorrectly stated that Hagedoorn had developed the drug. It is about the way of administering an existing medicine.
https://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/220259/RUG-onderzoekt-effect-malariamedicijn-op-corona
(post is archived)