Novartis Chief Executive Vas Narasimhan said to the Swiss newspaper Sonntags Zeitung that, Sandoz generics unit’s malaria, lupus and arthritis drug hydroxychloroquine is the company’s biggest hope against the coronavirus. Along with this news Narasimhan has also pledged to donate 13 million clinical doses and is supporting clinical trials needed before the medicine
“Pre-clinical studies in animals as well as the first data from clinical studies show that hydroxychloroquine kills the coronavirus,” Narasimhan told the newspaper. “We’re working with Swiss hospitals on possible treatment protocols for the clinical use of the drug, but it’s too early to say anything definitively.”
He said the company is currently looking for additional active drug ingredients to make more hydroxychloroquine, should clinical trials be successful.
Narasimhan also mentioned to the newspaper that three other Novartis drugs – Jakavi for cancer, multiple sclerosis drug Gilenya and fever drug Ilaris – are being studied for their effect on complications related to COVID-19. This follows separate efforts to repurpose drugs made by companies including Roche and Sanofi to treat complications related to the disease.
The Indian-American physician warned that pandemics come in waves, which is why it is important to keep testing suspected cases and collecting data. Novartis is currently taking in requests and offering its premises to multiple companies that are looking at fast tracking the production of medication to fight the novel coronavirus.