Covid-19: ICMR fast-tracks roll out of 'Solidarity' trial to find treatment

The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) has fast-tracked the roll out of the global 'Solidarity' trial launched by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to help in finding an effective treatment for Covid-19.

'Solidarity' is an international clinical trial to compare four treatment options against the standard of care to assess their relative effectiveness against Covid-19.

By enrolling patients in multiple countries, the trial aims to rapidly discover whether any of the drugs slow disease progression or improve survival. Importantly, the initiative provides for both speed and scale.

Speaking about India's participation, Prof Balram Bhargava, Secretary Department of Health Research and Director General, ICMR, said, "ICMR is working relentlessly to implement scientific interventions to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. The decision to join the WHO solidarity trial is an important step in this endeavour."

"The ICMR-National AIDS Research Institute (NARI) is the national coordination site for the trial in India. Four potential anti-viral agents, Remdesivir, Chloroquine/Hydroxychloroquine, Lopinavir-Ritonavir and Lopinavir-Ritonavir with Interferon (b1a) are to be evaluated in the trial," he added.

"We congratulate the central government, particularly ICMR for joining the global Solidarity trial. Through this collaboration, Indian researchers and institutions will participate in a global initiative to find effective treatment options for Covid-19. India plays a critical role in both research as well as in manufacturing once trials conclude successfully. WHO India is extending the required support to conduct the trial in India," Dr Henk Bekedam, WHO Representative to India, said.

The trial has begun recruiting Covid-19 patients in the country. Elaborating on the progress, Dr Sheela Godbole, senior scientist, NARI, and National Coordinator for the Solidarity trial in India said, "The required regulatory and ethical approvals have already been obtained and clinical trial sites have started to recruit patients in the trial."

Till now, a total of nine sites have been approved. The Solidarity trial provides simplified procedures to enable even overloaded hospitals to participate. Over 100 countries have requested participation to find effective therapeutics as soon as possible, via the trial.

The participation of multiple clinical trial units/hospitals in multiple countries will ensure adequate enrollment of participants in the shortest possible time. This will help fast-track the identification of correct treatment options for the Covid-19 disease.