BSMU Сlinic is testing a domestic medicine for COVID-19 treatment

Clinic of Bashkir State Medical University is one of 11 clinical research centers involved in the trial of a Russian drug for the treatment of patients with COVID-19 coronavirus infection.

The drug "Levilimab" was originally developed for the treatment of arthritis, but observations have shown that it also influences positively on patients with COVID-19.

The study involves patients with severe disease and the first clinical signs of respiratory failure. Levilimab appointment at the beginning of its manifestation allows preventing the transfer of patients to the intensive care unit. According to researchers’ observations, ten of the 36 patients were discharged from the hospital on the seventh or eighth day, and only one was transferred to the intensive care unit.

As doctors explain, once in the body, the virus causes an immune storm: the immune system begins to fight against the invasion, producing special molecules, including interleukin-6. Most people end up with a successful victory over the disease, but some patients still produce interleukin-6 after the virus is destroyed, and then the molecules begin to attack the lungs and weaken the body. It can lead to death if left untreated. The drug Levilimab just suppresses the activity of immune system. At the Russian government’s briefing they discussed active trials of the new drug in BSMU Clinic in particular.

Registration of the medicine in the Ministry of healthcare of the Russian Federation is expected at the end of May 2020.