Testing of novel anti-viral COVID-19 treatments
Published: 14 March 2018
General Practice and Primary Care's Bhautesh Jani is to lead a first-of-its-kind trial of novel antiviral COVID-19 treatments for use early on in people in the community with COVID-19 with a higher risk of complications
General Practice and Primary Care's Dr Bhautesh Jani, Clinical Senior Lecturer in General Practice and Co-Lead for the NRS Primary Care Research Network, is a co-investigator on the NIHR-funded national community anti-viral trial platform study.
The study will carry out a first-of-its-kind clinical trial, testing novel antiviral COVID-19 treatments for use early on in people in the community with COVID-19 who are at higher risk of complications.
The Platform Adaptive trial of NOvel antiviRals for eArly treatMent of COVID-19 In the Community (PANORAMIC) is a "platform clinical trial", meaning it can rapidly evaluate several antiviral treatments over time that could help people at high risk of COVID-19 recover sooner, prevent the need for hospital admission and so ease the burden on the NHS. This national study aims to quickly generate information which will help the UK four nations to refine plans for making the antivirals available through normal routes to those who might benefit from them after the study has completed.
Reflecting on the work that lies ahead and its potential impact, Bhautesh said:
"I hope this study will produce some vital evidence on use of antivirals in community in treatment of COVID-19. It is intended that the trial will be rolled out across various parts of Scotland with significant Scottish participation".
First published: 14 March 2018