The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research is one of several research clinics around Australia to receive a grant as part of the federal government’s $66 million funding package for COVID-19 vaccine development.
The Melbourne-based research clinic has launched a project to treat the outbreak of coronavirus with an antiviral which would target proteins within the virus and reactivate the body’s immune system.
Among other institutions receiving funding are the University of Queensland, for vaccine research, and the University of NSW, to repurpose respiratory treatments to fight the virus.
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute will also go ahead with a controversial trial which will test anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine on thousands of healthcare workers who volunteered to assess if the drug is a successful preventative for the disease.
Institute Professor Doug Hilton said he did not want the politicisation of the drug to “colour the research effort we have as a nation”.
Image: AP
