Czech scientists test new inhaler to treat novel coronavirus and other ailments

The new drug, developed by scientists at Charles University and the BIOCEV Research Center, is based on an active ingredient called bazedoxifene, which is currently used to treat osteoporosis and other symptoms of menopause.

Bazedoxifene works on the principle of blocking interleukin-6, a protein molecule involved in regulating immune responses.

The idea that it could help fight Covid-19 came to Czech scientists shortly after the pandemic first broke out in China.

Already the first data suggest that interleukin-6 plays a major role in Covid not only in activating the organism’s immune response, but also in facilitating the onset and development of inflammation. Biologist Jan Brábek explains:

“If you have an exaggerated inflammatory response, known as cytokine storm, which occurs with a variety of intense viral infections, you may run into problems.

“In addition to the general idea that blocking interleukin-6 is effective in treating Covid, I came up with the idea that we could use the already approved drug bazedoxifene.”

Milan Jakubeck, a chemist at the Charles University School of Medicine, is the first scientist to develop the first liquid form of bazedoxifene, called BAZE-X1.

“Applications include diluting this solution with saline in a specific ratio and injecting it into a specific device called a nebulizer. increase.”

Martina Koziar Vašáková, from the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Tomayer Hospital in Prague, who is collaborating on the study, said the new drug could be very effective in treating so-called acute respiratory distress.

“In such cases, the lungs are filled with non-functioning, inflamed tissue that is unable to carry oxygen due to insufficient healing of the lung tissue. This molecule prevents the development of this severe disorder.” It can be part of therapy.”

Biologist Jan Brábek speculates that inhalable liquid bazedoxifene could also be used to treat other viral infections.

“It would be appropriate if there was another viral disease pandemic that manifested itself in a cytokine storm.

“There is currently a clinical trial underway at the University of California for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, and we expect it to be effective in other diseases associated with chronic inflammation, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.”

BAZE-X1 is currently undergoing Phase 2 testing, so it is too early to tell if and when it will be available to patients.