Coronavirus: in search for a cure

Epidemiological testing confirmed that COVID-19 is a zoonosis and that the first transfer of the viral agent from animals to humans occurred at the Huanan wet market. Although data on the human-to-human transmission of SARS-CoV-2 are limited, the virus is believed to be transmitted by inhalation of an infectious aerosol (airborne) or contact with bodily excretions (droplet).

Number of coronavirus patients

According to the data published by the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 80,000 people worldwide have been infected with this coronavirus by mid-February 2020, the majority of whom are in China. The death toll has exceeded 2,000, causing the epidemic to be declared a global health hazard.

Symptoms and treatment

Since SARS-CoV-2 targets the respiratory system, symptoms of the disease are mainly respiratory: they include fever, cough and shortness of breath, while some patients may develop asymptomatic disease. In later stages of the disease, pneumonia, organ failure and subsequent death can occur. According to the WHO, the estimated incubation period is up to two weeks from the moment of infection.

As there is currently no approved method of treatment, the recommended therapy mostly involves supportive care. Existing broad-spectrum antiviral drugs are being scrutinised as a potential therapeutic choice. The antiviral medications lopinavir and ritonavir are of particular interest, since their combination has already proven effective in other coronavirus infections. Chloroquine phosphate has also been proven as a successful treatment choice in 100 patients, and no serious side effects have been reported with its administration.

When searching for the best treatment choice, it is necessary to have an overview of both the efficacy and the safety of the medication that is being administered. Marti Farm offers a comprehensive service and covers the entire life cycle of products, from their initial idea and registration to safety monitoring (during the clinical study and post-marketing phase).

Vaccine development

Thanks to the successful decoding of the viral genome, research teams in China, the US and other countries around the world are working intensively to develop a vaccine against this variable virus. World drug agencies are also encouraging the creation of new therapeutic options for the treatment and prevention of the new coronavirus disease. For example, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) invite potential vaccine manufacturers for a discussion via their website and provide expedited regulatory mechanisms for its development and approval. According to experts, the vaccine is expected to launch by summer 2020.