AbbVie to test HIV drug for Covid-19 treatment

AbbVie has announced plans to evaluate HIV medicine Kaletra / Aluvia (lopinavir / ritonavir) as Covid-19 treatment.

The company entered into partnerships with health authorities and institutions in various countries to investigate the efficacy and antiviral activity of the medication.

Furthermore, the company is aiding in clinical studies and basic research of lopinavir / ritonavir.

It is coordinating with European health authorities, the US Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health and Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority.

The company also allied with industry partners and the Innovative Medicines Initiative to research and identify targeted medicines against Covid-19.

AbbVie donated Aluvia to China in January for experimental use against the new viral disease. According to Chinese media reports, Kaletra / Aluvia is effective against Covid-19.

The company adds that it lacks access to Chinese clinical information to confirm the accuracy of these reports.

AbbVie chairman and CEO Richard Gonzalez said: "We are committed to helping in any way we can to address the Covid-19 public health crisis, which is why we responded quickly to the Chinese authorities’ request for Aluvia in late January.

"We are working with global health authorities to ensure we meet the need of Covid-19 patients, conduct the appropriate clinical trials to evaluate its efficacy and ensure uninterrupted supply of the drug Kaletra/Aluvia for HIV patients around the world."

The company provided Kaletra / Aluvia as an investigational drug for Covid-19 treatment in various countries with immediate patient need.

Meanwhile, the company is also working to increase the medicine’s supply for HIV patients.

In a statement, AbbVie said: "AbbVie continues to closely monitor manufacturing and supply chain resources around the world and does not anticipate any disruption to its medicine supply as a result of Covid-19."

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