Last month, the researchers in Oxford stated that in the early trials their vaccine candidate has triggered an immune response against the COVID-19 virus.
Serum Institute of India has approved to conduct the late-stage human trials in the country for Oxford’s COVID-19 vaccine.
Oxford’s AstraZeneca has been on the top list amongst the global frontrunners for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Here is the list of the top 5 potential COVID-19 vaccines for the novel coronavirus,
Remdesivir
The potential drug was developed a decade ago but failed in clinical trials against Ebola in 2014. However, it was found that the drug was safe in people. Research with MERS—a disease caused by a different coronavirus, exhibited that the drug blocked the virus from replicating.
Currently, the drug is tested for many COVID-19 clinical trials around the world. The drug is also being tested in children with moderate to severe COVID-19.
Read to know about Remdesivir
EIDD-2801
Scientists from a non-profit biotech company owned by Emory University created the drug EIDD-2801.
The research in mice has shown that the drug-like Remdesivir—has the potential to decrease the replication of multiple coronaviruses, including the SARS-CoV-2. In May the pharma company Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics LP signed an agreement to develop this drug. The vaccine is already under clinical trials in the United Kingdom.
EIDD-2801 can be taken orally, which will make it available for a larger amount of people.
Read to know about EIDD-2801
Favipiravir
The Japanese Government supplied the drug as emergency aid to counter the Ebola virus outbreak.
Reports are suggesting that the drug might also be effective to fight the coronavirus. Consequently, the drug is being sent to 43 countries for clinical trials on people with moderate and severe COVID-19.
Favipiravir can be ideal for long-term care homes, as it can be taken in tablet form.
Read to know about Favipiravir
Kaletra
Kaletra is the combination of two drugs— lopinavir and ritonavir— that are used against HIV.
The drug failed the clinical trials in mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19 testing. However, a study reported that when combined with two other drugs — ribavirin and interferon beta-1b — took less time to clear the virus from their body.
Currently, the drug is under clinical trials are being conducted to see if the drug is effective against the SARS-CoV-2.
Read to know about Kaletra
Merimepodib (VX-497)
Previously, the drug showed the potential to have antiviral and immune-suppressing effects. When tested against hepatitis C but had only modest effects.
The drug is developed by ViralClear Pharmaceuticals Inc. and is currently under the phase II trial. By the late summer of 2020, the company hopes to have the results.
Read to know about Merimepodib (VX-497)
People with advanced COVID-19 will receive either the merimepodib with remdesivir or remdesivir plus a placebo.
For now, the Serum Institute of India has tied-up with AstraZeneca, to manufacture the COVID-19 vaccine for low and middle-income countries. The vaccine is already under phase II/III trials in the UK, South Africa, and Brazil, the participants are being administered two doses nearly a month apart.
