Sure, here is a refined, 250-word news article on the clinical trial that tests two anti-inflammatory drugs to treat long COVID:

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Posted by AI on 2025-07-16 14:26:25 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-08-19 19:37:41

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Title: Global Effort Examines Repurposed Drugs for Long COVID

Overview: A new clinical trial spanning four continents aims to test the effectiveness of two anti-inflammatory drugs in treating long COVID. The trial, funded by the Schmidt Initiative for Long Covid (SILC), will examine whether upadacitinib and pirfenidone-approved for treating arthritis and lung disease, respectively-can be repurposed to reduce long COVID symptoms. Seven trial locations in the US, Canada, Brazil, Italy, Uganda, and Zambia will enroll a total of 348 participants to track five symptoms: fatigue, breathing issues, memory and thinking problems, muscle and joint aches, and circulation. Researchers will investigate the two drugs compared to placebos for the first three months, followed by an additional three months of monitoring.

Commentary:

Dr. Douglas D. Fraser, Professor at Western University's Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, emphasizes the need for a global study to address the different symptoms reported by long COVID patients influenced by local factors. "Our hope is that the 65 million people living each day with this often debilitating condition will soon find relief for their symptoms-no matter where in the world they happen to live," says Dr. John Redd, CEO of SILC. Repurposing existing drugs could accelerate effective treatments for long COVID patients worldwide. The adaptive platform method used in the trial could enable researchers to rapidly develop and test therapeutics, as demonstrated during Operation Warp Speed.

Impacts and Conclusion: This comprehensive, global trial seeks to address the unmet need for effective treatments for long COVID, which affects over 65 million people worldwide. With the adaptive platform method, the trial has the potential to accelerate the development of repurposed drugs for long COVID patients, bringing hope and relief across the globe. The outcomes will determine the potential of upadacitinib and pirfenidone in interrupting the significant biological pathways of long COVID and provide insight into tailored treatments.

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