Worthy Christian News > Israel-Palestinian Conflict > Israeli Research Institute says Drugs used for Gaucher’s Disease May Prove Effective Against COVID-19

Israeli Research Institute says Drugs used for Gaucher’s Disease May Prove Effective Against COVID-19

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – An Israeli research institute has said that two medicines used to treat Gaucher’s disease could also be used to treat COVID-19, CBN News reported on May 27. Scientists at the Ministry of Defense-run Israel Institute for Biological Research (IIBR) have said Cerdelga, which has already been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and Venglustat, which is in the process of approval, appear to inhibit viruses.

According to a statement given by the Ministry of Defense, IIBR scientists said the two drugs used together had resulted in “a significant reduction in the replication capacity of the coronavirus and to the destruction of the infected cell.”

IIBR researchers believe the drugs could be used temporarily while work continues on finding a vaccine. “Treatment of a new disease such as COVID-19 using an existing, approved drug may serve as an effective short-term solution considering that one of the major challenges in addressing such a pandemic is the length of time it takes for both the research and approval phases of new drugs,” the ministry said.   The drugs are currently being tested for effectiveness in treating animals infected with COVID-19, the ministry reported.

Moreover, it was discovered the drugs could also treat three other viruses: the West Nile virus, Influenza A virus, and the Neuroinvasive Sindbis virus. “This indicates their potential in treating various viral diseases effectively — including future outbreaks of new viruses — once they are clinically approved,” the ministry said.

The IIBR has been on working on tackling the new coronavirus on more than one front: it recently announced its discovery of an antibody that neutralizes COVID-19 in rodents.