Promising early results reported for treatment designed to help people with diabetes recover from effects of coronavirus
Report on the new treatment developed by Excalibur Healthcare Services expected to be published later this year.
Researchers trialling a treatment for people with diabetes affected by Covid-19 said the therapy could prevent further spread of the virus. Excalibur Healthcare Services recently reported a ‘major milestone’ had been passed during advanced clinical trials of a new therapy that could treat people with diabetes suffering from Covid-19 (coronavirus).
The trial of a glucose kinase activator (AZD1656), which could help people living with diabetes infected with coronavirus by dampening the overactive response of the immune system, has been conducted at 28 hospital sites across the UK, Czech Republic and Romania since September 2020. The trial offered patients with type 1 diabetes who develop Covid-19 the opportunity to take part in ground-breaking research of a new therapy that may help prevent the worst effects of coronavirus. People living with diabetes face a significantly higher risk of dying with Covid-19.
As previously reported, almost one in three of all deaths from coronavirus among people in hospital in England during the Covid-19 pandemic have been associated with diabetes. A follow-up NHS report confirmed that people living with diabetes are at a significantly increased risk if they get Covid-19 compared to people without the conditin. The breakdown of figures confirmed that people with type 1 diabetes who are diagnosed with Covid-19 are more likely to die from the illness than people with type 2 diabetes.
The trial, which involved patients with mild to moderate Covid-19 symptoms, has now been completed. Data has been collected can now be analysed and the final report is expected early September. If successful, the therapeutic treatment has potential use in several areas of acute care. Additionally, the compound could ultimately be prescribed by a GP for people with diabetes presenting with early Covid-19 symptoms to halt the progression of the virus.
T-reg cell migration investigated
Another area investigated during the trial is the possible up-regulation of T-reg cell migration which it is thought could potentially promote long term immunity, beyond the normal life of a vaccine. The research project was arranged and structured by Professor Sir Chris Evans, Chairman and CEO of Excalibur Healthcare Services, through its subsidiary, Excalibur Medicines Ltd. Sir Chris worked closely with Professor John Martin and his team at St George Street, a UK-based biomedical research charity, which secured the initial project and permission to run the trial from AstraZeneca.
Professor Evans said: “This drug has the potential to make a real difference to people with diabetes who contract coronavirus. The completion of the trial is a very significant moment, we look forward to seeing the results from the data collected. The trial completion enables us to progress commercialisation plans.”
David Tapolczay, CEO St George Street, said: “We are delighted to have completed data collection for Arcadia and have now achieved the major milestone of database lock. We would like to thank all our hospital sites for helping complete the data set during this busy time and to our patients who agreed to participate in the trial."
Support DRWF by making a donation here
Find out more about DRWF-funded research here
Find out more about DRWF fundraising here
For latest update follow DRWF on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
To receive the charity’s latest bulletins as they become available, please sign up here
Read DRWF diabetes information leaflets here
Join the Diabetes Wellness Network here
Recent News
