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The team of CUHK and the University of Hong Kong found that hepatitis C medicine helps the treatment of new coronary pneumonia mixed with radcivir to increase the efficacy of the drug

2021-05-12T12:21:56.827Z


As the epidemic continues, countries are racing against time to study treatment options. The Faculty of Medicine of the Chinese University of Medicine and the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong have jointly discovered that Simeprevir, which was originally used for hepatitis C, has new functions and may have


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Written by: Chen Shuxia

2021-05-10 07:00

Last update date: 2021-05-10 07:00

As the epidemic continues, countries are racing against time to study treatment options.

The Faculty of Medicine of the Chinese University of China and the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong have jointly discovered that the "Simeprevir" originally used for hepatitis C has a new function, which can effectively inhibit the reproduction of the new coronavirus. It is compatible with the current main drug "Remdesivir" Used together, it can exert a synergistic effect.

After the two drugs are mixed, the efficacy of inhibiting virus replication is 100 times higher than that of "Redcivir" alone, and its side effects and drug costs are expected to be greatly reduced.

The research team also pointed out that "Smepivir" is the only existing drug that can target two important proteins in the virus. It is believed to help explore new directions for new crown drugs. The research results have been published in the internationally renowned chemical journal "ACS Central Science". Animal experiments are also being carried out, which is expected to be completed within six months to one year at the earliest, and then it is expected to enter the clinical trial stage.

The Faculty of Medicine of CUHK and the Faculty of Hong Kong University have jointly discovered that the oral drug "smepivir" for the treatment of hepatitis C can help treat new coronary pneumonia.

The second from left is Chen Zhiwei, the second from right is Wu Weilong, and the first from right is Xu Shuchang.

(Photo by Chen Shuxia)

Remdesivir has made the virus weak and disabled. If smepivir is used again, multiple attacks will be possible.

Wu Weilong, Assistant Professor, School of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, CUHK

Wu Weilong, assistant professor at the School of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Chen Zhiwei, associate professor at the School of Public Health, School of Medicine, Hong Kong University. After testing a variety of antiviral drugs that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the team found that the oral drug "Smepivir" originally used for the treatment of hepatitis C has the same ability to inhibit virus replication as "Remdesivir". If, even worse, two important proteins, including protease and RNA replicase, can be inhibited at the same time; if the two drugs are used in combination, a synergistic effect can be produced. Viral infection experiments have shown that only 3.3 micromolar of "smepivir can be used. "And "Remdesivir" can significantly inhibit virus replication, which is 100 times more effective than using "Remdesivir" alone.

Wu Weilong used a metaphor to explain that Remdesivir has made the virus so weak and disabled. If smepivir is used again, multiple attacks can be achieved.

Wu Weilong continued to point out that it is expected that the mixed use will reduce the side effects of the drug. "The dose of both drugs can be reduced, but the clinical trial has to be answered first, but theoretically it should be less."

Remdesivir was originally used to deal with Ebola virus, but now it is used to treat new pneumonia.

(Reuters/profile picture)

As for the cost, Wu Weilong pointed out that "Smepivir" was approved for hepatitis C treatment in 2013, but the pharmaceutical factory has not yet mass-produced it. "It's not because it is useless, but it was replaced by a new model (new model). "He pointed out that since the synthetic route and production process of "Smepivir" are mature, I believe that even if it is put into production again, the cost will not be expensive, and mass production will not be a problem.

Xu Shuchang, chair professor of the Department of Respiratory System at CUHK, pointed out that Redxivir is currently about 2,000 yuan per dose. If it is used in combination in the future, "the amount of (Redcivir) can be further reduced." Wu Weilong added that it can reduce medication in disguise. cost.



In terms of timetable, Chen Zhiwei said that animal experiments are being carried out on mice and are expected to be completed as soon as half a year to one year. During the period, they will try to test with the variant new coronavirus. "They are almost confident that it will be effective (variant virus)." If there is data to confirm It is safe and effective, and will be able to enter the clinical trial phase later.

Wu Ze pointed out that he had contacted the pharmaceutical factory earlier, and the other party was also excited about the research findings. "If the other party can provide more animal experimental data, research cooperation can be done."



Xu Shuchang, Chair Professor of Respiratory Department of CUHK, said that the current treatment of new coronary pneumonia The plan, including ribavirin and interferon, is mainly suitable for mildly diagnosed patients. However, when the patient has respiratory failure, the only effective one is "Remdesivir". Empirical evidence shows that it can shorten the condition by 5 days. "But it's not about reducing the mortality rate." He believes that the new discovery of "Smepivir" this time is expected to study whether to further reduce the mortality rate.

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Source: hk1

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