Interferons, effective molecules against coronavirus? According to a study carried out in China on interferon alpha-2b that showed some effectiveness in the reduction of the inflammation (the famous cytokine storms) in case of respiratory distress, it is now pharmaceutical company Synairgen to show results of its clinical trials on interferon beta, this time, a molecule naturally produced by the human body, and that could – according to the study – lower the risks of developing severe coronavirus.
A molecule French Health Minister Olivier Véran has voted in during his press conference on Thursday February 25, 2021, stating this treatment against Covid will soon be used in France to prevent severe coronavirus. “A major breakthrough in the treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients” the British biotechnology company commented, this past July, as they release the results of their clinical trial themselves, as they must do so for financial reasons.
According to the double-blinded study carried out on 1010 patients in nine hospitals across the country, interferon beta – usually given as a treatment against sclerosis – enabled to “very significatively” lower short of breath in patients hospitalized. According to Ouest France, “the treatment reduces by 79% the risks of developing a serious disease in people hospitalized requiring ventilation”. Note that it could also reduce hospitalization time from 9 to 6 days.
How does this treatment work? In consists in inhaling the protein though a nebulizer, it directly ends up in the lungs a trigger “a stronger anti-viral response, even in patients whose immune systems are already weak.” A promising treatment soon to be used in France.
