Another approved malaria medicine shows potential against COVID-19

A new lab study finds that the antimalarial drug atovaquone can stop the coronavirus from replicating in human lung cells.

• An antimalarial is the latest drug that researchers have identified as a potential COVID-19 treatment.
• In a laboratory study, scientists found that atovaquone inhibited replication of SARS-CoV-2 in human lung cells.
• The effects occurred in vitro against Alpha, Beta, and Delta variants.
• Clinical trials are necessary to see whether it is possible to repeat these results in people with COVID-19.