The UK is to adapt an innovative clinical trial procedure in a bid to fast-track untested new drugs for COVID-19 treatment, it has been announced.
The AGILE clinical trial project will run phase 1 trials, using similar methodology to that used for testing and adoption of multiple drugs, such as dexamethasone.
AGILE is to be led by Liverpool University and Southampton University, running phase 1 trials in parallel. The UK government says it will mean testing stages are completed “in months.”
It will offer treatments to patients diagnosed in the community as well as those in hospital.
The first four treatments to be tested are two monoclonal antibodies, VIR-7831 and VIR-7832, an experimental antiviral Molnupiravir – which has already been subject to some COVID trials, and an anthelmintic, Niclosamide, used to treat tapeworm infections.
Health secretary Matt Hancock said: “Today’s news will ensure all phases of clinical trials for new treatments are done in the UK, protecting our supply chain and securing the world’s best treatments for NHS patients at a much faster rate.”
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