Inhaler that ‘lets Covid victims treat themselves’
A POTENTIALLY life- saving inhaler that treats coronavirus in its earliest stages is being rolled out in a nationwide trial.
Scientists hope it will stop people entering the rapid deterioration phase of the illness in which victims develop breathing problems.
The nebuliser uses an experimental drug that is inhaled into the lungs and helps the immune system fight off the infection.
It could be a game-changer as there is currently no treatment for Covid- 19 outside hospital. People are simply told to self-isolate in the hope their condition does not deteriorate.
Lead researcher Professor Nick Francis, of the University of Southampton, said: ‘This trial is unique in that we are targeting individuals with risk factors for severe illness, very early on in the course of their infection.
‘ By setting up a “virtual network” of study doctors and nurses we are able to recruit, consent, and provide daily monitoring to patients in their own homes, just about anywhere in the UK. Early treatment may be the key to preventing serious complications, hospitalisations, and death.’
The inhaler, pictured, turns a drug called SNG-001 into a fine mist so it can be breathed deep into the lungs.
Doctors believe it will give people the ability to treat themselves rather than just hope for the best.
The Daily Mail revealed last month that experts at University Hospital Southampton had launched the study.
It was limited to people living within 40 miles of the city because researchers wanted to give patients the drug within 72 hours of symptoms appearing. At that point the national coronavirus testing system was taking too long so the experts set up their own testing lab in the city to speed up response times.
But the testing system is now working much quicker, meaning researchers can give the inhaler to people around the UK for the first time.
Anyone who tests positive for the virus – and is either over 65 or over 50 with certain other health conditions – can register for the study.
Richard Marsden, CEO of biotech firm Synairgen which is carrying out the trial, said last night: ‘ Things have significantly improved with the national coronavirus testing system – people are now getting results very quickly. That means we can get this out across the UK.’
The expansion also means it will be quicker for the trial to deliver results. The researchers will publish these when they have treated 120 people.
SNG-001 uses a protein called interferon beta, which our bodies produce during a viral infection.
It is already used as an injection to boost the immune response of people with multiple sclerosis. Scientists believe if it is inhaled it can help the lungs fight off infection and stop coronavirus creating the serious breathing problems which have killed tens of thousands of people.
Anyone who tests positive for the illness and fits the age profile can register for the trial.
Participants will puff on the nebuliser daily for 14 days, and be assessed via video link. Synairgen is also trialling the treatment on 100 hospital patients.
To take part in the study visit www.covidtrialathome.com.
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