A few months ago researchers and scientists from Louisiana State University (LSU) through the Department of Computer Science created the DeepDrug AI platform
Through LSU's DeepDrug platform, it was possible for scientists to discover an oral treatment against COVID-19, which also managed to reduce the time and cost of drug discovery by up to 90%.
However, the only evidence has been through predictive AI studies, and some animal cell studies conducted by the Illinois Institute of Technology. Therefore, currently, Skymount Medical and the Riverside University Health System (RUHS) have begun clinical trials to test the LSU therapy.
Testing will take place at the RUHS Comparative Effectiveness and Clinical Outcomes Research Center (CECORC) facility in Moreno Valley, California. The trial consists of evaluating the combined effects of an anticancer drug and an antiparasitic agent, both authorized for human use by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Studies in animal cells have achieved an effectiveness of up to 97% in reducing SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
“We are excited to partner with RUHS and Dr. Bruce Weng's team to facilitate human clinical research to try to demonstrate the drug combination's safety and efficacy in adult patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 and exhibit high risk of infection. mild to moderate symptoms,” explained Dr. Kishor Wasan, chief medical and scientific officer of Skymount Medical.
The general objective of the study is to find out what impact this combined therapy can have on reducing symptoms of COVID-19 and their severity. The scientists also hope that the trial will confirm that the combination of these drugs does not result in negative side effects.
Finally, Dr. Weng, an infectious disease physician at RUHS Medical Center, explained that unfortunately in California with a large number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, they can do this type of study to take advantage of the data: “The only A silver lining in this is that the sample size in our hospital is substantial enough to produce valuable data when evaluating the safety and efficacy of this drug combination. This is a pilot study and voluntary 100%. The safety of our patients is paramount and we will stay in constant contact with those who choose to participate to ensure their health and well-being."
