Switzerland buys access to potential Covid-19 treatment drug
The drug could also be administered to risk groups and those in front-line jobs, the Health Office said.
Keystone / Alessandro Crinari
The Swiss government has signed an agreement with a Zurich company for priority access to a drug being developed to treat those severely ill with Covid-19.
This content was published on
1 minute
Keystone-SDA/dos
Português
pt
A Suíça compra acesso ao potencial medicamento de tratamento para o Covid-19
The deal with the Molecular Partners firm gives Switzerland access to the first 200,000 doses of the medicine, as well as up to three million further doses when requested, the Federal Office for Public Health (FOPH) announcedExternal link on Tuesday.
The deal is worth several million francs, the Keystone-SDA news agency reported.
The immunotherapeutic agent, currently in development, is “comparable to mixtures of antibody therapies that are used to neutralise the virus”, the FOPH wrote. If approved, it would mainly be used to treat people already infected with Covid-19, although it could also be administered to risk groups as a prophylactic.
Clinical trials of the drug are planned for Autumn 2020.
The deal is another leg of the government’s anti-coronavirus strategy. It has also put aside CHF300 million ($329 million) for the procurement of a vaccine, and last week announced the pre-purchase of up to 4.5 million doses of a drug being developed by US firm Moderna.
Related Stories
Popular Stories
More
Swiss Politics
Switzerland triggers unprecedented special status for Ukrainian refugees
This content was published on
Production in Switzerland's secondary sector fell in the second quarter of 2025. The decline was more pronounced in the construction sector than for industry.
Swiss army recruits remain in hospital after gruelling test exercise
This content was published on
Four potential recruits for the elite Swiss grenadier unit were hospitalised last week after taking part in a gruelling exercise in hot weather. Three remain in hospital with one placed temporarily in an artificial coma.
University of Basel to mark 125th anniversary of Nietzsche’s death
This content was published on
This month the University of Basel is celebrating the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, who was a professor there from 1869 to 1879. August 25th marks the 125th anniversary of his death.
Trump tariffs: Swiss brands struggle to adapt to 39% tariff
This content was published on
Swiss brands like Victorinox, the manufacturer of the iconic pocket knife, are struggling to adapt to the 39% tariff imposed by the United States on imports of Swiss goods.
Fish and aquatic plants are under ‘severe pressure’ in Swiss rivers and lakes
This content was published on
Fish, aquatic plants and other animals in Swiss rivers, lakes and streams remain under 'severe pressure', according to the Federal Office for the Environment.
Swatch withdraws ‘slanted eyes’ ad after China uproar
This content was published on
The Swiss watch manufacturer Swatch has apologised and withdrawn an advertising campaign worldwide following accusations of racism in China. The ad features a model pulling the corners of his eyes.
Police identify bodies of three climbers who died in Swiss Alps
This content was published on
Police have formally identified the bodies of three climbers who died in the Upper Valais region in early August: they are from Germany, France and Austria.
Bern exhibition reunites Kirchner paintings after 92 years
This content was published on
The painting Sonntag der Bergbauern (Alpsonntag) [Sunday of the Mountain Farmers (Alp Sunday) by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (1880-1938) is being transferred from Berlin to Bern to feature in an upcoming exhibition at Kunstmuseum Bern.
Voters approve extension of Engadine Airport in Switzerland
This content was published on
Residents in the Upper Engadine region gave the greenlight on Sunday to the expansion of the regional airport at Samedan, one of Europe’s highest airports (1,707 metres) that serves the nearby resorts of St Moritz and Davos.
Private equity group Advent to buy U-Blox for $1.3 billion
This content was published on
Private equity group Advent International has agreed to take over Switzerland's U-Blox Holding in a cash offer worth CHF1.05 billion ($1.30 billion).
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Government earmarks CHF300 million to secure Covid-19 vaccine
This content was published on
The Swiss government is setting aside funds to procure enough doses of a Covid-19 vaccine for the country’s 8.6 million population.
Switzerland pre-orders 4.5 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine
This content was published on
The Swiss government has signed a deal with US biotech firm Moderna to secure early access to 4.5 million doses of a Covid-19 vaccine currently in development.
This content was published on
It’s the question we all want an answer to: when will there be a vaccine against Covid-19? And how is fair access being negotiated?
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.