This study finds new drug to treat COVID-19

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In a recent study from the University of Kent and elsewhere, researchers found a drug with the potential to provide treatment for COVID-19.

The study is published in Cells. One author is Professor Martin Michaelis.

In the study, the team found that the approved protease inhibitor aprotinin displayed activity against the COVID-19 virus, in concentrations that are achieved in patients.

Aprotinin inhibits the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells and may compensate for the loss of host cell protease inhibitors that are down-regulated upon SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Aprotinin aerosols are approved in Russia for the treatment of influenza and could be readily tested for the treatment of COVID-19.

The team says the aprotinin aerosol has been reported to be tolerated extremely well in influenza patients.

Hence, it may have a particular potential to prevent severe COVID-19 disease when applied early after diagnosis.

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