Kiwi scientists working to find new treatment for Covid-19

While we wait for a coronavirus vaccine, Kiwi scientists and clinicians are working ‘‘off the smell of an oily rag’’ to develop a coronavirus treatment for the infected.

While a vaccine would ensure immunity against the virus, a treatment would be used to help lessen the impact of the virus on patients.

Experts around the country have come together, working out of a Victoria University lab, ahead of any Government funding.

Rohan Ameratunga, an associate professor in clinical immunology at Auckland Hospital, said the group was about a month away from lab tests, and two to three months way from testing their ‘‘decoy enzyme’’ on humans.

He said if it works, the decoy — which would be administered via an inhaler — would make it harder for Covid-19 to attach itself to the lungs and gives the immune system a better chance to respond.

It also creates a milder infection, making it ideal for those at greater risk of death from the virus like the elderly, as well as health care workers.

‘‘We will be taking people who have a high risk [of Covid-19] and flooding their system with a decoy molecule,’’ he said.

‘‘It is a little analogous to flattening the curve. If it works it will reduce the amount of virus that can enter the lungs.’’

The clinical trials are expected to take place overseas because there are no local patients to test on.

‘‘We would gift it to a clinical trial in a country that’s badly affected.’’

The group have applied to the Government’s $25 million Covid-19 Innovation Acceleration Fund, but have yet to hear back.

Until then, they are ‘‘working off the smell of an oily rag’’, Ameratunga said.

Ameratunga wouldn’t be drawn on how quickly Kiwis could access the drug, but all if all goes well it could take six months to a year to get the drug approved and registered.

‘‘It is all up in the air. It depends on if it is effective or not.’’

The news comes after New Zealand experts warned a vaccine was still years away and, even then, New Zealand would be at the bottom of the list for accessing vaccines developed overseas.

‘‘If it works it will reduce the amount of virus that can enter the lungs.’’

Rohan Ameratunga associate professor in clinical immunology at Auckland Hospital