Researchers think an experimental drug might prevent COVID-19 blood clots

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that also causes inflammation, but a third of hospitalized coronavirus patients develop dangerous blood clots as well. Scientists at Britain's Imperial College London hypothesize that the clots are a byproduct of a hormonal imbalance caused by an enzyme the coronavirus deactivates to invade cells, BBC News reports, and they are preparing a clinical trial to see if the experimental drug TRV027 can fix that imbalance. The trial, funded by the British Heart Foundation, begins next month, with about 60 patients getting either TRVO27 or a placebo.

TRVO27, made by Trevena, "works to rebalance hormones involved in blood pressure, water, and salt," BBC News says. It was originally developed to treat acute heart failure, though it failed to live up to expectations in a trial.

Researchers have not yet found a proven effective treatment against COVID-19, though at least 10 antiviral drugs, numerous anti-inflammatory treatments, and convalescent plasma are all being tried on experimental bases. The experimental antiviral drug Remdesivir has shown promise, too. Some researchers hope a combination of several drugs will be effective at treating the complicated virus.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up