Army of scientists redeployed to Edinburgh in search of Covid-19 treatments

Around 150 researchers will be asked to search for ways to treat coronavirus.

An army of up to 150 scientists and researchers are to be deployed to work on a project aimed to test drugs to find a treatment for COVID-19.

The researchers at the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Inflammation Research, will be moved to the new project named STOPCOVID.

They will test existing and experimental drugs in the hope of finding a treatment for the coronavirus which could be rolled out worldwide and reduce the need for a vaccine and improve the chances of avoiding the use of a ventilator in more severe cases.

Up to 150 researchers at the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Inflammation Research are being re-deployed to work on a project that aims to test existing and experimental drugs to find a treatment for Covid-19

The project will focus on the so-called ‘inflammatory pathways’ which lead directly to lung injury, associated with the most sever aspects of COVID-19.

Drugs will be tested to see if they block this and other types of inflammation in the early stages of the disease in the hope that it could change the course of infection and prevent the need of a ventilator.

The team believe new treatments could be made available before a vaccine becomes widely available, mainly due to the use of repurposed drugs for other conditions which are already in clinical use or in the testing phase.

Collaboration with pharmaceutical companies from around the world has identified some key drugs and mechanisms that are in development or being used for other diseases already.

Professor Kev Dhaliwal, STOPCOVID lead and consultant in Respiratory Medicine at the University of Edinburgh.

Alongside this, the researchers are working in partnership with the University of Bath to explore the use of fibre-based technology to administer drugs and take lung samples.

Professor Kev Dhaliwal, STOPCOVID lead and consultant in Respiratory Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, said: “Covid-19 is the biggest global challenge of a generation.

“By rapidly testing therapies that stop the inflammatory cascade associated with the most severe aspect of the disease – leading ultimately to respiratory failure – we can urgently discover ways to prevent the need for a ventilator.

“We must unite together, across sectors, across disciplines, across continents to tackle the devastating effects of this virus as fast as possible.”

Up to 150 researchers at the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Inflammation Research are being re-deployed to work on a project that aims to test existing and experimental drugs to find a treatment for Covid-19

The project has received £2m in funding from LifeArc, a medical research charity, and funding from the investment firm Baillie Gifford.

A total of £15m in private sector funding is the aim for the team, with discussions underway with other potential funders.

The funding will cover trial and clinical costs, data analyses and the scaling up of any drugs that show promise.

The project will be based at the Edinburgh BioQuarter, allowing close work with NHS Lothian.

The team believes that working closely with regulatory experts could fast-track any successful treatment into national and international clinical trials.

Dr Catriona Crombie, associate director in technology transfer at LifeArc, said: “The work of Professor Dhaliwal and his team aligns to LifeArc’s focus on translational medical research and accelerating the development of promising ideas that address patient need.

“We are pleased to support STOPCOVID and be part of the collective effort in the rapid and effective testing of any promising medicines that could potentially provide a treatment option for Covid-19 patients at this crucial period.”

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