Israel is leading in the development of a cure for coronavirus
A new drug developed in Ichilov hospital cured over 96% of corona patients within two to three days works extensively with no side effects
Has a cure for COVID-19 been found in Israel? Tel Aviv medical center Ichilov Hospital published today (Friday) new details about an experiment with the innovative drug for the treatment of coronavirus patients, which was first reported last night in the evening news at Kan11.
The innovative drug cured over 96% of the patients who received it. The technology was tested in humans, in the first clinical phase. 29 out of 30 patients in moderate to severe condition were released from the hospital in just 3-5 days,” Ichilov said in a statement. “This is EXO-CD24, an innovative preparation based on CD24-enriched exosomes, given by direct aspiration into the lungs to eradicate the cytokine storm (overactivity of the immune system) resulting from the COVID-19 virus.”
Corona disease (COVID-19) has two main stages of development. The first stage is similar to influenza and does not require specific treatment but only supportive care. Phase two occurs in 5-7% of patients with risk factors and is characterized by the cytokine storm.
“EXO-CD24 is an innovative, goal-oriented drug, developed on the basis of many years of research in Prof. Nadir Arber’s laboratory, at the Tel Aviv Medical Center,” the hospital said. The preparation is intended for moderate-severe patients, in order to prevent the deterioration to a difficult situation.
Prof. Nadir Arber, one of the hospital’s prominent doctors and researchers, who led the development of the drug said “EXO-CD24 is an innovative goal-oriented drug, developed on the basis of many years of research. Even if the vaccines will work, and no new mutations are produced the corona will remain with us,” said Prof. Arber.
“We have developed a unique drug – EXO-CD24 within six months from the moment the idea was conceived and the technology was invented until it was first tested in humans, in the first clinical phase. This is an unprecedented event,” he added.
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‘The drug is based on exosomes which are and cleavages that are released from the cell membrane and used for intercellular communication. We enrich the exosomes with 24CD protein. This protein is expressed on the surface of the cell and has a known and important role in regulating the immune system,” explained Dr. Shiran Shapira, the laboratory director of Prof. Arber, who has been leading the study of CD24 protein for over two decades.
‘The preparation is given by inhalation, once a day, for only a few minutes, for five days. ‘The uniqueness of the preparation lies in the following facts: a double mechanism that acts to inhibit the action of the pathway leading to the immune storm and the multiple secretion of cytokines.
The preparation is directed to the heart of the storm in the lungs so that unlike many other preparations in the world that are given systemically, selectively inhibit a particular cytokine or act more widely but cause severe and multiple side effects, EXO-CD24 is given topically, works extensively and has no side effects.
“This is an advanced preparation, which can be produced quickly and efficiently and at a very low cost, which is produced in every pharmaceutical facility in the country, and in a short time all global consumption can be supplied,” explained Prof. Arber.
Prof. Roni Gamzo, director of the Ichilov Medical Center, adds, “Prof. Nadir Arber is a talented researcher and physician. The research carried out in his laboratory is innovative and sophisticated and maybe saving Corona patients.
The understanding now in the world is that alongside vaccines it is very important to develop drugs suitable for the disease and now there is a lot of research activity on the subject and I am proud that in Ichilov already, one of the first in the world, we are working in the field.
Read more about: Coronavirus, cure for coronavirus, Ichilov Hospital, Israel
