COVID-19 roundup: EMA seeks to rein in chloroquine use; plus cash for CEPI, WHO’s SOLIDARITY grows, CytoDyn, EUSA, Chembio, PCR Biosystems and more

EMA said Wednesday that chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine should only be used to treat COVID-19 in clinical trials or national emergency use programs to preserve availability for autoimmune indications, such as lupus. The agency’s statement came as multiple trial sponsors reported progess with clinical programs against the virus, including the WHO for its master protocol trial.

The agency said the agents’ efficacy in treating the virus “is yet to be shown in studies” and noted that they can have “serious side effects.” The guidance came three days after FDA granted Emergency Use Authorization for the drugs to treat COVID-19 (see “FDA’s Authorization of Malaria Drugs for COVID-19 Looks Like Political Science”)...