Beijing, Aug 29: China’s first Ebola drug has recently obtained manufacturing approval from the General Department of Logistics of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) as a special medication for the PLA. The drug named “JK-05″ is the country’s first drug for the treatment of the deadly Ebola virus, and has been developed by the Institute of Microbiology Epidemiology under Academy of Military Medical Sciences.
The research team in the institute, headed by Professor Wang Hongquan, spent the last five years studying the prevention and treatment of the Ebola virus, the most virulent viral diseases known to humankind, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
“JK-05 is a micro-molecular chemical, and its pharmacological mechanism is to selectively contain the RNA polymerase of the Ebola virus so as to inhibit virus replication,” said Professor Wang.
The drug JK-05 shows anti-Ebola activity during cell experiments and testing on animals, according to Wang’s study. It has also completed pre-clinical testing as well as a clinical safety evaluation.Wang stressed that the application of JK-05 for Ebola treatment is only allowed in emergency situations at the present time.
No Ebola cases have been reported in China, but over 1,300 people in West Africa have already lost their lives to the virus. There is no preventive vaccination or effective drug yet.
Modified Date: August 29, 2014 6:10 PM