“We know viruses, we know what they need” – Science

The antiviral agent “Remdesivir” was originally developed against Ebola and comes from the laboratories of the American pharmaceutical giant Gilead Sciences. According to a clinical study, it should also work in crown patients and shorten their recovery time by 30 percent, as announced by the American National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) on Wednesday. “This will be the standard treatment,” said NIAID chief Anthony Fauci, impressed.

An Austrian is significantly involved in the development of “Remdesivir”. “Tamiflu” biochemist and inventor Norbert Bischofberger (64) has been with Gilead since 1990 and, meanwhile, became vice president. On Thursday, the Vorarlberger answered questions from “ZiB2” moderator Armin Wolf on a study tour from California.

In the interview, the drug investigator is confident. He believes that finding an effective remedy for the coronavirus will not be difficult. “The problem in the past was that clinical trials could not be carried out,” explains Bischofberger. Due to worldwide spread, this is now possible internationally as well. This is the only way to test whether a remedy is effective and also safe. “I am convinced that there will be a medicine quickly. We know the viruses, we know what they need.”

The sooner the better

Wolf notes that the Ebola medication “Remdesivir,” which Bischofberger helped develop, cannot cure crown patients, but only shortens their hospital stay. The moderator wants to know: So far the expectations for “Remdesivir” are too high?

The Austrian biochemist gives up, but notes that the study participants so far have all been Covid 19 patients at an advanced stage of the disease. In principle, “Remdesivir” and other antiviral agents apply that the earlier they are used, the more effective they are. Ideally, they would be administered immediately after diagnosis of the first symptoms and a positive crown test. “I think this is an opportunity for Remdesivir,” said Bischofberger.

When does a vaccine come?

While the expert is sure that an effective drug will be found soon, finding a vaccine may take longer. There are three critical questions to answer: 1) Does the vaccine produce immunizing antibodies? 2) How long are they stable? AND 3) Is the vaccine safe? After all, this completely healthy person is injected. “You must be very, very sure that the vaccine has no side effects,” Bischofberger said.

The likelihood of a coronavirus vaccine is very high, said the Gilead vice president. At the same time, one should be aware that some viruses (eg HIV) do not have a vaccine even after years of research.

“We will experience something like this again.”

Wolf wants to know if an obligation to vaccinate makes sense. “If you could make the majority of the population immune, then the corona virus will become extinct,” says the expert. Alternatively, one could primarily vaccinate people at increased risk for Covid-19. Bischofberger cites older people and doctors as an example. “However, we still don’t know how many people are actually infected today.” The number of unreported cases can only be determined with antibody tests.

By the way, the corona virus is no exception. The expert’s warning: “It is certainly not the last virus that comes from an animal and infects humans. We will experience something like this again.”

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