Covid-19: New Use of Therapeutics

ABSTRACT

Severe acute respiratory syndrome novel virus (SARS-CoV-2), after its origin from probably bats in Wuhan, China, has spread all over the world within around 2–3 months of origin, called as Covid-19 pandemic. The virus has infected nearly 10 million people globally with over 500, 000 deaths. Industry and academia globally are involved in developing repurposed drugs and vaccines as also developing new drugs, monoclonal antibodies and vaccines. Over 1200 molecules (including monoclonal antibodies and stem cells) and 180 plus vaccines are in clinical trials or under development. Hydroxychloroquine, remdesivir, favipiravir and a number of antivirals are in clinical use to save lives. Dexamethasone, a life-saving drug, has also been used in critical patients on support system. A monoclonal antibody and about five vaccines have reached Phase II–III clinical trials;one vaccine in India has entered Phase I clinical trial. BCG, mycobacterium W and polio vaccine are also under trial to treat Covid-19. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021.