J&J's experimental dengue pill prevents infection in mice, monkeys
Send a link to a friend
[March 16, 2023]
By Julie Steenhuysen
CHICAGO (Reuters) - An experimental pill for dengue developed by Johnson
& Johnson proved effective against all four types of the virus in mice
and prevented infection from two types in monkeys, according to data
published on Wednesday.
The promising early animal results appearing in the journal Nature add
hope for what could become the first antiviral treatment for a
mosquito-borne disease that causes 96 million symptomatic infections and
10,000 deaths each year.
The company said in a statement it has already completed an early-stage
trial of the experimental treatment, known as JNJ-1802, in healthy human
volunteers, which showed it to be safe and well tolerated. J&J is now
testing the drug in a randomized Phase II clinical trial.
Studies in lab animals confirmed prior work showing the drug blocks the
action of two viral proteins, preventing the virus from making copies of
itself.
[to top of second column]
|
![](../images/031623PIX/health90.jpg)
Johnson & Johnson company offices are
shown in Irvine, California, U.S., October 14, 2020. REUTERS/Mike
Blake/
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2023/Mar/16/images/ads/current/debbiesfloral_lda_021023.png) The company said in a statement it
aims to develop the drug as both a treatment for dengue and to
prevent infections.
(Reporting by Julie Steenhuysen; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
[© 2023 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |