Dr. Jean Bourbeau is leading a new Phase III clinical trial using dapson to target lung inflammation caused by COVID-19.
Dapsone is a decades-old safe and affordable oral antibacterial that has well-recognized anti-inflammatory and immuno-modulatory properties used against malaria, lupus, HIV and many other inflammatory infections. Repurposing drugs could be a quick, safe and cost-effective way to develop new COVID-19 therapies. Dapsone works on the adherence of immune cells called neutrophils to prevent the release of cytokines. Cytokines are proteins produced by white blood cells that help coordinate the body’s immune response.
“By administering the drug as soon as symptoms start, we hope to attenuate the lung inflammation that is the most frequent cause of worsening symptoms and complications requiring hospitalization.”
Dr. Jean Bourbeau
Read the full news release here:
Old drug, new therapy: RI-MUHC-sponsored phase III clinical trial ready to test repurposed dapsone to tone down lung inflammation caused by COVID-19. RI-MUHC News. Sept 2, 2020.
Dr. Jean Bourbeau in the News:
- Read the article on the MUHC Foundations’ website: COVID-19 Drug Headed for Phase III Clinical Trial
- Read an article in Le Journal de Montréal: Un autre médicament contre la COVID-19 testé au Québec: La dapsone, une molécule déjà utilisée, reformulée par une biotech canadienne
- Read an article in La Presse: Un médicament générique contre la COVID-19 testé à Montréal
Dr. Jean Bourbeau is an Associate Member of the Meakins-Christie Laboratories, member of the RECRU, member of the Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program and director of the Centre for Innovative Medicine at the Research Institute of the MUHC.