UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH

UK Launches First Anti-Viral Drug Trial for Long COVID Treatment

2 months ago

• Researchers from the University of Derby and Plymouth have initiated the UK's first anti-viral drug trial for long COVID, testing medication previously used only for hospitalized COVID-19 patients. • The £1.25m ERASE project involves 72 participants receiving intravenous anti-viral treatment over five days, aiming to address symptoms like fatigue, breathlessness, and brain fog affecting over 2 million UK residents. • Early participant Ryan Cawley reports significant improvement in symptoms after receiving the treatment, describing feeling "like I have been given a new pair of lungs" and experiencing an "upward trajectory to recovery."

Novel HMB Supplement Trial Launches to Combat Cirrhosis Symptoms in £500,000 UK Study

4 months ago

• A major clinical trial investigating β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate (HMB) as a potential treatment for liver cirrhosis has been launched across eight UK hospitals, supported by £500,000 from NIHR. • The BOOST study aims to evaluate HMB's effectiveness in improving physical function and quality of life for the 60,000 UK patients diagnosed with cirrhosis, a condition currently lacking direct treatment options. • The trial will recruit 124 cirrhosis patients who will receive either HMB or placebo for 12 weeks, with researchers measuring outcomes using the Liver Frailty Index and quality of life assessments.