Bausch Health announced that Health Canada has approved a clinical trial of the company’s Virazole ribavirin inhalation solution for the treatment of respiratory distress in patients hospitalized with COVID-19, and the study is expected to begin within a few weeks.
The company said that it is also discussing the possibility of similar studies with regulatory agencies in other countries, including the US. In Italy, the Bausch Foundation is to provide Virazole to hospitals free of charge for compassionate use. Virazole is approved in Canada, the US, and several other countries for the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus lung infections in hospitalized pediatric patients.
Bausch Health Chairman and CEO Joseph C. Papa commented, “Virazole has demonstrated antiviral activity in treating severe pediatric respiratory infections, and we believe it may be a valuable agent in reducing respiratory distress in adults suffering from COVID-19. We are actively pursuing approval of our trial protocol around the world to test the efficacy and safety of Virazole in this patient population. Bausch Health will remain focused – for as long as necessary – on doing our part to help end this unprecedented global health pandemic, including donating our health care products, conducting research to find new treatment options and supporting patients, health care providers and our employees.”
Read the Bausch Health press release.
