Italy Gives Go-Ahead for Trial of Osteoporosis Drug for COVID-19

Italian regulators have given the green light for a trial evaluating raloxifene, a generic osteoporosis drug, for the treatment of COVID-19.

Researchers hope that the hormone therapy, which mimics the effects of estrogen to increase bone density, will also reduce coronavirus symptoms and render patients less contagious, as the drug contains chemical characteristics that could block the virus.

The randomized phase 1 study will initially enroll 450 hospitalized and nonhospitalized patients in Milan, with participants receiving a raloxifene capsule regimen over seven days.