Nordic Life Science 1
”We have previously demonstrated that targeting o
f viral antigens to HLA class II molecules is particularly efficient for antibody induction, and antibodies represent a relevant correlate of protection against many different viruses including corona. While there is still much unknown about SARSCoV-2, there is growing evidence that antibodies against the receptor binding site of the spike protein can neutralize the virus, and as such protect against COVID-19 infection. With a vaccine strategy that is particularly strong at rapid induction of antibodies, it seems a good match for the present corona pandemic,” says Grødeland. As for the global race towards an effective vaccine she says she believes that the world will have a vaccine ready in approximately one years time, based on the growing evidence of efficient antibody immunity against SARS-CoV-2. When it comes to finding effective treatments for COVID-19 several of the Nordic biotech and pharma companies are trying to use their expertise and experience to speed up development. For example, Faron Pharmaceuticals recently received FDA approval for their protocol design for the next Traumakine trial in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), a condition that COVID-19 patient can develop. In Iceland, Epiendo Pharmaceuticals, a company that focuses on developing novel drugs that preserve the barrier enhancing effects of the antibiotic azithromycin but lack the antibiotic activity, also states it can help. The company is expecting results from a RS virus study and are considering coronavirus testing as well. Swedish Orphan Biovitrum (Sobi) has also initiated a clinical trial to evaluate if two of the company’s products, anakira and emapalumab, may relieve complications associated with severe COVID-19 disease. The products could be important in the treatment of hyper-inflammatory syndrome, one of the most serious complications associated with severe COVID-19 disease. ”The COVID-19 global pandemic requires everyone to play their part. We believe it is our duty to support this important request and will focus our attention on this exploratory study,” says Guido Oelkers, CEO and President of Sobi. Adlego, who handles the toxicological studies according to Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) in the Opencorona project mentioned earlier, is also included in the EU project, Fight-nCoV. The project is led by Anna-Lena Spetz, professor of immunology at Stockholm University. It will be focusing on the development of a new type of antiviral treatment with an effect against the new coronavirus, but also against other viruses that attack the upper airways, such as the RS virus. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General In Norway, patients are part of a historic international study. The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a multiarm, multicountry clinical trial for potential coronavirus therapies, part of an effort to jumpstart the global search for drugs to treat COVID-19. The study, which WHO hopes other countries will join, has been named the Solidarity trial. So far 45 countries are included in the study and the first two countries to start testing the treatments are Norway and Spain. “Multiple small trials with different methodologies may not give us the clear strong evidence we need about which treatments help to save lives,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a briefing in Geneva. The drugs to be tested are the antiviral drug remdesivir; a combination of two HIV drugs, lopinavir and ritonavir; lopinavir and ritonavir plus interferon beta; and the antimalarial drug chloroquine. All show some evidence of effectiveness against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, either in vitro