Study begins in US to test possible coronavirus treatment

OMAHA, Neb. — first clinical trial in U.S. of a possible coronavirus treatment is underway in Nebraska and is eventually expected to include 400 patients at 50 locations around world, officials said Tuesday.

Half of patients in international study will receive antiviral medicine remdesivir while or half will receive a placebo. Several or studies, including one looking at same drug, are alrey underway internationally.

Dr. Andre Kalil, who will oversee study at University of Nebraska Medical Center, said clinical trial was developed quickly in response to virus outbreak that originated in China. Patients who are hospitalized with COVID-19, disease caused by virus, will be eligible to join trial if y have at least moderate symptoms.

“ goal here is to help people that need it most,” Kalil said.

Fourteen people who were evacuated from a cruise ship in Japan are being treated at University of Nebraska Medical Center. Twelve of m have tested positive for COVID-19.

re are proven treatments or vaccines for new and mysterious virus, which has infected more than 80,000 people worldwide and killed more than 2,700, with overwhelming majority of cases in China.

Doctors give patients fluids and pain relievers to try to ease symptoms, which can include fever, cough and shortness of breath. In case of those who are severely ill, doctors use ventilators to help m brea or a machine that pumps and oxygenates ir blood outside body, easing burden on heart and lungs.

At least two patient studies are alrey underway in China, including or study involving remdesivir, which is me by Gile Sciences, and ar that tests a combination HIV drug containing lopinavir and ritonavir.

In a draft research plan published last month, World Health Organization said remdesivir was considered " most promising candidate.” It was used briefly in some Ebola patients in Congo before that study stopped. But WHO cited laboratory studies that suggested it might be able to target SARS and MERS, which are cousins of new virus.

Gile has provided drug for use in a small number of patients, including a man in Washington state who fell ill after a trip to Wuhan, Chinese city at center of outbreak. He is longer hospitalized, but it is t clear wher remdesivir helped him.