Coronavirus Test of Trump-Touted Malaria Drug May Report in July

(Bloomberg) -- Results from trials of an old malaria drug touted as a potential tool in the fight against the coronavirus may be ready in July.

Novartis AG expects to present results from a U.S. study of hydroxychloroquine that month, as well as for two other drugs being tested for Covid-19 effectiveness -- Ilaris and Jakavi, Chief Executive Officer Vas Narasimhan told Swiss newspaper Schweiz am Wochenende.

U.S. President Donald Trump among others has endorsed hydroxychloroquine after the drug showed promise in a small and unconventional study in France. It’s one of a number potential treatments being looked at worldwide, as the coronavirus pandemic kills thousands and hammers the global economy.

Novartis is ready to ramp up production of hydroxychloroquine, Narasimhan said in the interview. Still, existing studies of the drug didn’t meet the highest standard of clinical research and the company is focused on delivering reliable data regarding Covid-19 usability, he said.

Read More: Novartis Joins Bid to Vet Old Malaria Drug for Coronavirus

The 65-year-old hydroxychloroquine is being tested against a placebo alone and in combination with the antibiotic azithromycin in a study of about 440 hospitalized patients, Novartis said last month.

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