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Researchers in Korea are attracting attention by announcing the results of an experiment that showed that Napamostat, an ingredient for acute pancreatitis treatment, was effective against Corona 19.

The Korea Pasteur Institute said yesterday (14th) "The antiviral effect of 'Napamostat' was hundreds of times better than 'Remdesivir', which was approved for emergency use in the United States."

Two days before the announcement, Napamostat was found to inhibit the enzyme action that Corona19 virus enters into human cells, according to what was published in the pre-discovery site BioRxiv. 

Ryu Wang-sik, head of the Pasteur Institute in Korea, said, "Napamostat is a drug that was originally used as an anticoagulant, so it is expected to help improve symptoms such as blood clots, a major pathology of corona19 pneumonia."
However, since these results were confirmed by cell experiments, further studies are needed to properly verify efficacy. 

Chung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Quarantine Countermeasures Office, took a cautious position on today's (15th) briefing that it was impossible to decide whether to introduce or use the treatment with only some clinical trials.

"If a little more evidence or data on validity and safety are gathered, we will be able to review the introduction and use with clinical experts in the medical field," said Jung. "Introduction should be discussed with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. It is difficult to tell the information about each one. "

This is 'News Pick'.

(Photo = Yonhap News)