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Niclosamide - a promising treatment for COVID-19
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  • Shivani Singh,
  • Anne Weiss,
  • James Goodman,
  • Marie Fisk,
  • Spoorthy Kulkarni,
  • Ing Lu,
  • Joanna Gray,
  • Morten Sommer,
  • Joseph Cheriyan
Shivani Singh
New York University Grossman School of Medicine

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Anne Weiss
Danmarks Tekniske Universitet The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability
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James Goodman
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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Marie Fisk
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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Spoorthy Kulkarni
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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Ing Lu
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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Joanna Gray
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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Morten Sommer
Danmarks Tekniske Universitet The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability
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Joseph Cheriyan
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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Abstract

Vaccines have reduced the transmission and severity of COVID-19 but there remains a paucity of efficacious treatment for drug resistant strains and more susceptible individuals. Repurposing existing drugs is a timely, safe and scientifically robust method for treating pandemics such as COVID-19. Here, we review the pharmacology and scientific rationale for repurposing niclosamide, an anti-helminth already in human use as a treatment for COVID-19. In addition to potent antiviral activity, niclosamide has shown pleiotropic anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, bronchodilatory and anticancer effects in numerous pre-clinical and early clinical studies. The advantages and rationale for nebulised and intranasal formulations of niclosamide, which target the site of primary infection in COVID-19, are reviewed. Finally, we discuss the TACTIC-E clinical trial, an international COVID-19 therapeutic platform trial for the use of licensed and novel therapeutic agents, which is investigating niclosamide as a promising candidate against SARS-CoV-2.
13 Sep 2021Submitted to British Journal of Pharmacology
27 Sep 2021Submission Checks Completed
27 Sep 2021Assigned to Editor
12 Oct 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
05 Dec 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
08 Dec 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
05 Jan 20221st Revision Received
11 Jan 2022Submission Checks Completed
11 Jan 2022Assigned to Editor
17 Jan 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
07 Feb 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
23 Feb 2022Editorial Decision: Accept
Jul 2022Published in British Journal of Pharmacology volume 179 issue 13 on pages 3250-3267. 10.1111/bph.15843