Made-in-Vietnam antiviral drug being developed to treat COVID-19 patients

The medicine, called Vipdervir, is used to prevent and heal diseases caused by the RNA virus, a virus which has RNA as its genetic material, especially the novel coronavirus (SARs-CoV-2).

Results of the drug’s preclinical trial were released by the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology in an online press conference on August 10. They showed Vipdervir can inhibit the growth of the SARS-CoV-2 virus when tested on animals.

A statement released by the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology said: "The drug’s acute and sub-acute toxicity were tested at the National Institute of Drug Quality Control and the Hanoi Medical University".

Its ability to inhibit the growth of the H5N1 virus was tested at the Institute of Biotechnology, and that of the SARS-CoV-2 virus at the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology and HHanoi Medical University. The tests were done on rabbits.

The research is being conducted by Associate Professor Le Quang Huan and his partners at the Vietnam Institute of Biotechnology in Hanoi.

The scientists’ proposal for a clinical trial of the drug on COVID-19 patients was approved by the Ministry of Health on August 7. If successful, the drug will be licensed and used to treat mild and moderate COVID-19 cases, the ministry said.