Novartis CEO: Malaria Drug Is Biggest Hope against Coronavirus

Novartis Chief Executive Vas Narasimhan said malaria, lupus and arthritis medication hydroxychloroquine of his generic Sandoz unit is the company's best chance toward coronavirus, the Swiss newspaper SonntagsZeitung reported on Sunday.

Novartis also promised to contribute 130 million doses and is funding clinical studies required before the drug can be licensed for use against coronavirus, which has also been supported by US President Donald Trump.

Many businesses have since decided to offer hydroxychloroquine or related medicines, including Bayer and Teva, whereas Gilead Sciences is researching the new medication remdesivir against coronavirus.

"Pre-clinical studies in animals, as well as the first data from clinical studies, show that hydroxychloroquine kills the coronavirus," Narasimhan told the newspaper. "We're working with Swiss hospitals on possible treatment protocols for the clinical use of the drug, but it's too early to say anything definitively."

He said the company is currently looking for additional active drug ingredients to make more hydroxychloroquine, should clinical trials be successful.

Narasimhan said three other Novartis medicines-cancer jakavi, Gilenya multiple sclerosis drug and Ilaris fever drug-are being tested for their effect on COVID-19 complications, the newspaper published. It followed similar attempts taken by firms such as Roche and Sanofi to re-use medications to address problems linked to the condition.

Source: Reuters