Parasite-killing drug ivermectin heads into coronavirus trials

Compound Japan Nobel laureate helped develop shows promise in early studies

20200507N African children

A medicine used to treat illnesses caused by parasites common in Africa has shown promise in treating the coronavirus. © Reuters

RIMI INOMATA, TAKAYUKI OHGUE and YUTA SHIMONO, Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO/OSAKA -- A treatment for parasitic infections a Japanese microbiologist has helped develop is gaining attention as a possible treatment for the new coronavirus.

Ivermectin was developed based on findings by Kitasato University professor emeritus Satoshi Omura, for which he won the 2015 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine. The Tokyo-based university recently announced plans to conduct a clinical trial. 

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