On 23 August, Semmelweis University joined an international clinical trial to test the efficacy of a new oral drug for coronavirus patients, which is still in a testing phase. The study will be conducted at the Városmajor Heart and Vascular Center led by Dr. Béla Merkely, Rector and Director of the Center.
Phase I studies of an oral antiviral coronavirus medicine, which is to be introduced in Hungary, began in March in the United States. Following its completion, Phase II and Phase III studies involving a larger number of patients were also started, taking place in 400 study centers worldwide, including six sites in Hungary.
On 23 August, 2021, Semmelweis University joined the international clinical trials being the only site in Budapest. The study will be conducted at the Városmajor Heart and Vascular Center under the leadership of Dr. Béla Merkely, Rector and Director of the Center. The study will assess whether the oral experimental drug reduces the duration and/or severity of the disease in people recently diagnosed with COVID-19 who have a low or increased risk of worsening symptoms.
“Semmelweis University, as the country’s leading COVID care provider, considers it extremely important to actively participate in the expansion of knowledge about the novel coronavirus, including the development of new therapeutic procedures and options”, emphasized Dr. Béla Merkely, Rector, leader of the study.
He reminded that during the first wave of the epidemic in Hungary, the national representative H-UNCOVER survey was carried out under the leadership of the university, which provided an accurate picture of the spread of COVID-19 at that time. In addition, the university has launched research and development projects in several areas related to the coronavirus, including work in the development of plasma therapy and clinical trials of several therapeutic options (e.g. remdesivir, fluvoxamine), as well as a post-COVID translational studies.
“Patients who arrive at Semmelweis University and meet the criteria will be offered the opportunity to participate in the study. Further information related to the study is available in the patient information leaflet approved by the National Institute of Pharmacy and Nutrition”, said Dr. János Filakovszky, Director of the Clinical Research Coordination Center of the university.
As in all clinical trials, patients will be under constant medical supervision and their health status will be monitored on a daily basis.
The study was approved by the National Institute of Pharmacy and Nutrition based on the decision of the Ethics Committee for Clinical Pharmacology of the Medical Research Council.
Pálma Dobozi
Source of featured image: Pinterest
Translation: Katalin Illés-Romhányi
