Researchers are on the forefront of finding treatments.
The coronavirus has killed more than 4,500 people in the United States as of Wednesday morning. The race remains strong to find a vaccine along with other treatments to help save lives of those already infected.
Athesersys, Inc., a Cleveland, Ohio-based biotech company is at the front of that research. They have developed a treatment using stem cell therapy, called MultiStem, for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), one of the more serious and deadly possible side effects for COVID-19 patients.
“ARDS is the primary cause of death among patients that are infected with COVID-19,” Athersys CEO Gil Van Bokkelen said. “Like other viral pathogens, including SARS, MERS, and severe strains of influenza-like H1N1, COVID-19 induces intense inflammation in the lungs and a build-up of fluid, which is referred to clinically as edema.” Van Bokkelen, who holds a Ph.D. in genetics, says their treatment for patients with ARDS is encouraging.
Presently there are no FDA-approved therapies to treat ARDS. Critically ill COVID-19 patients with ARDS end up being put on a ventilator which pushes air through their lungs.
Scientists from the University of North Texas Health Science Center are also looking into the use of stem cells and are working with a team of international researchers to determine if stem cell therapy can be used for COVID-19 patients.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For researchers in this country and elsewhere who are searching for therapeutic treatments for patients with the coronavirus.
- For researchers and laboratories working on a possible vaccine against COVID-19.
- For the FDA scientists as they look into the possibilities of approving stem cell therapies for COVID-19 patients.
Sources: Fox News, Life Science News
