April 17, 2020
Bulletin interne de l'Institut Pasteur
COVIDAXIS: a clinical trial to prevent COVID-19 in healthcare workers
Saint-Etienne University Hospital and the Institut Pasteur are launching a clinical trial, COVIDAXIS, to assess the efficacy of a number of drugs in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare workers. Several cases of infection have been reported in these workers, who are particularly exposed to the virus. In the absence of a vaccine, it is important to establish whether there are any existing drugs that could prevent infection.
The clinical trial will test hydroxychloroquine against a placebo, then lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra®), also against a placebo. These two drugs have been commercially available for several years, with a satisfactory tolerance profile. They have demonstrated antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro, and their efficacy as a curative treatment is currently under evaluation.