Rinehart funds world-first international coronavirus trial

Australian mining magnate Gina Rinehart has poured millions of dollars into a world-first coronavirus trial spearheaded by the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Foundation. The trial, dubbed ALLIANCE COVID-19, will be the first in the world to test a multiple combination of the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine, zinc, the antibiotic azithromycin and high-dose intravenous vitamin C. Ms Rinehart, Executive Chairman of Hancock Prospecting Group, donated $2.6 million to the RBWHF to launch the trial and another $2 million to finance hospitals in the US and Europe taking part. “Australia has a long and very important alliance with the United States, and we are very pleased to be working together to help patients, hospital staff and volunteers and the many serving in various capacities against COVID-19, in both our countries with trials that aim to lead to shorter hospital stays and more lives saved via more effective COVID-19 treatment protocols,” she said. “To have such trial will also be important for those needing to return to work, and the families they live with, plus of course those in high risk categories.” Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital research ambassador Professor Jeff Lipman said he had been inspired by the success of smaller studies overseas using hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin together. “We still lack the evidence base to truly know the best treatment protocol for COVID-19, although we have been encouraged by smaller successful studies in USA and France utilising hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin together,” he said. “This study is an alliance of hospitals in Australia and the United States, with countries in Asia, Europe and elsewhere also invited to participate.” The trials have received ethics approval and will launch at the RBWH in Australia this month and hospitals from the USA will take part in the trials include Ochsner Health in New Orleans. “New Orleans is an epicentre for the COVID-19 outbreak and Ochsner Health are a key partner for this study,” said Professor Lipman. “The University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine and the Ochsner Clinical School have a long-standing partnership which involves Ochsner Clinic medical students spending two years studying medicine at UQ, so we’re excited to partner further with them.” Other countries which have expressed interest in joining the study include Malaysia and Thailand. “We’re partnering with other hospitals around the world to test the safety, tolerability and effectiveness of these treatments and to endeavour to provide a better treatment protocol,” said Professor Lipman. “The primary aim of this study is to reduce deaths resulting from COVID-19, and the need for prolonged mechanical ventilation and prolonged hospital stays.” Globally, more than 4000 patients who have COVID-19, including those in the ICU, will be approached to participate in the study. Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au