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Novartis CEO says Malaria drug biggest hope against coronavirus: Newspaper

Malaria, lupus and arthritis drug hydroxychloroquine is under clinical trials, says Novartis.

A worker prepares masks during a 21-day nationwide lockdown imposed in the wake of coronavirus pandemic in Ranchi
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A worker prepares masks during a 21-day nationwide lockdown imposed in the wake of coronavirus pandemic in Ranchi

Reuters Zurich
Novartis Chief Executive Vas Narasimhan said his Sandoz generics unit's malaria, lupus and arthritis drug hydroxychloroquine is the company's biggest hope against the coronavirus, Swiss newspaper SonntagsZeitung reported on Sunday.

Novartis has pledged to donate 130 million doses and is supporting clinical trials needed before the medicine, which U.S. President Donald Trump also has been promoting, can be approved for use against the coronavirus.

Other companies including Bayer and Teva have also agreed to donate hydroxychloroquine or similar drugs, while Gilead Sciences is testing its experimental drug remdesivir against coronavirus.

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