FDA approves clinical trials for Emory’s COVID-19 antiviral treatment
Emory University has the green light to begin human clinical trials for a drug that researchers hope will treat the novel coronavirus, officials said Wednesday.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved an Investigational New Drug application for EIDD-2801, an antiviral compound, which can be taken orally. The drug was developed several years ago to battle a broad spectrum of viruses and has shown strong results in animal testing against influenza.
» COMPLETE COVERAGE: Coronavirus in Georgia
» MORE: Georgia companies race to treat COVID-19
EIDD-2801 was developed by Drug Innovation Ventures at Emory DRIVE, LLC, a non-profit owned by Emory and started as an innovative approach to drug development. It prevents the replication of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, Emory said.
Emory said the trials could begin by mid-April.
Emory is among the Georgia-based universities and companies in the race to find a vaccine or treatment for the virus. It is working with researchers in Seattle on a potential vaccine and began human clinical tests a few weeks ago.
» RELATED: Emory testing experimental vaccine with local volunteers
About the Author
Eric Stirgus joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2001. He is the newsroom's education editor. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Eric is active in the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Education Writers Association and enjoys mentoring aspiring journalists.
