Israeli researchers find that Gaucher's disease drugs effective against coronavirus
The IIBR noted that the drugs were found to be effective against different virus strains
Scientists at the Israel Institute for Biological Research (IIBR) have discovered that two drugs designed to treat Gaucher’s disease are effective against the COVID-19 coronavirus and could potentially protect against other viruses.
Scientists tested an analogue of the FDA-approved drug Cerdelga, and an analogue of a second drug, Venglustat, which is currently in the advanced stage of clinical trials, according to a press statement regarding the research circulated by the Defense Ministry.
The study by the IIBR found that “antiviral treatment using both drugs led to a significant reduction in the replication capacity of the coronavirus and to the destruction of the infected cell. The decrease in virus replication prevents further cell damage following infection.”
Researchers noted that the drugs were found to be effective against different virus strains, including influenza and West Nile fever.
Scientists are testing the drugs on animals infected with COVID-19 to see if they will yield similar results.
If successful, the treatment could be readily obtainable since analogues of the specific compounds tested have already been studied clinically and can be fast-tracked for public use.