Comment: Dr Ben Neuman says biggest impact of experimental Ebola drug favipiravir could be psychological
Release Date 24 February 2015
Dr Ben Neuman, virologist, University of Reading, comments on the early results of a clinical trial of the experimental drug favipiravir.
"This has the potential to be really big news - the first Ebola treatment that works well enough to save lives. Even the more famous ZMapp is still unproven in people because supplies ran out before a larger test could be conducted.
"It suggests that favipiravir may be able to help the immune system fight infection. However, favipiravir is probably not strong enough to work on its own - even the best antivirals need some help from the immune system in order to work.
"Final judgement on favipiravir will have to wait until the full details of the clinical trial are published. The greatest impact of this finding might be psychological - it may give more Ebola patients the confidence to come to the treatment clinics, where Ebola spread can be stopped."