University leads first trial in anti-viral medicines for long Covid

Ground-breaking research

The team, led by Professor Mark Faghy, is investigating whether anti-viral medications can be used as an effective treatment option for patients diagnosed with long Covid.

The study is being led by Derby with collaborators from University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Trust, Aston University, and the University of Exeter. It is being managed by the University of Plymouth’s Peninsula Clinical Trials Unit.

Long Covid remains a significant health and societal challenge. Current estimates show that over two million people in the UK and more than 144m globally live with long Covid and almost a quarter of sufferers have had their symptoms for more than two years. People affected may experience symptoms such as extreme fatigue and breathlessness, palpitations, and brain fog. In many cases these symptoms are debilitating, interfering with work, family life and socialising.

The search for potential treatments is therefore of paramount importance as it may help in reducing the number of people impacted by this condition, improving outcomes and quality of life.

The testing process

The cause of long Covid is not yet clear; however, a widely recognised theory is that the virus persists within specific cells of the infected person, causing an associated inflammatory response, and a wide range of prolonged symptoms.

This study will allow the team to assess whether antiviral medicines have the potential to be an effective treatment option for patients once diagnosed with long Covid. Eligible patients will undergo a series of tests before and after being given the medication to monitor any improvements in long-standing issues they are experiencing.

Professor Faghy’s team have led previous international studies to explore the impacts of acute and long Covid, recording patients’ symptoms and their lived experience.

The current study is nearing completion but the team are working hard to develop the next phase of the project which will be a randomised control trial anticipated to take place in 2026. Those who are interested in being considered for the trial are asked to register their interest with the study team. 

To find out more about the project contact Professor Mark Faghy.

Other long Covid research at Derby

Professor Faghy and his team are exploring the causes of Post Exertional Malaise (PEM) or Post Exertional Symptom Exacerbation (PESE) in people living with long Covid – these are terms used to describe the worsening of symptoms after physical or mental exertion, even at minor levels.

This study aims to increase the understanding of the mechanisms of why people with long Covid experience symptom exacerbation following any form of exertion. Working closely with the long Covid community, our researchers and scientists have developed these studies to maximise the benefits to people with long Covid.