[jyl]

Positive data from small Hong Kong trial of a “cocktail” (interferon beta 1b, ritonavir, lopinavir, ribavirin) vs control (ritonavir + lopinavir). Cocktail shortened time to negative virus test by about half, statistically significant. No significant imbalance in adverse effects. Patients were mild cases, control arm reached negative virus test in 7 days after first dose. Some imbalance in patients in the arms, with the “cocktail” arm patients having fewer underlying conditions and fewer males. Authors think interferon beta likely the main factor. ritonavir + lopinavir were part of Chinese list of recommended treatments in February, which is probably why they were used as the control, but subsequently failed to show efficacy in a randomized trial.

Suggests interferon beta should be tested in larger trials, and indeed there are other trials of this and other interferons ongoing.

Interferon beta 1b was used for multiple sclerosis until superseded by newer drugs. The main patents are expired. I don’t know anything about supply or manufacturing process.