科技部新聞稿

臺澳科研合作抗疫，共同研發新型抗新冠病毒藥物

日期：109年5月14日

發稿單位：科教發展及國際合作司

聯絡人(1)：張華維專員

電話：02-2737-7151

Email：hwchang@nstc.gov.tw

聯絡人(2)：駐澳大利亞科技組彭雙俊組長

電話：+61-2-6120-1001

Email：sjpong@nstc.gov.tw

科技部為與其他國家共同對抗嚴重特殊傳染性肺炎(COVID-19)疫情，積極推動國內外學研機構進行合作。受科技部長期補助之長庚大學新興病毒感染研究中心，近日在科技部駐澳大利亞科技組的促成下，成功與澳洲蒙納許大學生物醫學研究所展開合作，將就抗寄生蟲藥物「伊維菌素(Ivermectin)」抑制新冠病毒的有效性進行研究，以共同研發新型抗病毒藥物。

澳洲蒙納許大學生物醫學研究所前於2020年4月3日宣布，該所與澳洲彼得多哈堤感染與免疫研究所(Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity)共同進行的一項研究發現顯示，伊維菌素藥物可在48小時內抑制新冠病毒生長，並有助於細胞將病毒清除，消息發布後引發各界關注。科技部進行審慎評估後，推薦長庚大學新興病毒感染研究中心主任施信如特聘教授為我方研究主持人，並請駐澳大利亞科技組聯繫推動雙方進行合作。

雙方研究人員經密切聯繫討論後，於5月7日進行首次視訊會議，會中雙方均表現出極高之合作意願，並就後續具體合作項目達成共識。未來將由我方提供病毒株及P2/P3實驗室設備，澳方提供實驗用藥物，共同研究伊維菌素針對新冠病毒的抑制效果，另外也將合作層面進一步擴及至愛滋、茲卡、流感及登革熱等病毒之研究。雙方亦同意將由長庚大學與蒙納許大學代表雙方簽署相關合作及保密協定，一旦協定完成簽署後，將儘速展開具體研究。科技部將持續瞭解雙方合作進度，並適時提供最大的協助，以期盡早產生具體成果以協助抗疫。

長庚新興病毒感染研中心於2009年成立，持續接受科技部補助執行研究計畫，2018年獲得科技部補助特色研究中心計畫。該中心任務為因應新興病毒如SARS、禽流感(H1N1)等，對社會經濟、交通、生態、教育等層面所造成的衝擊與威脅。

Press Release

May 14, 2020

Taiwan and Australia to Cooperate on Scientific Research and New Anti-novel Coronavirus Drugs Development to Fight against Pandemic

In containing the COVID-19 epidemic, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), Taiwan proactively promotes cooperation between Taiwan’s academic research community and their foreign counterparts to support the global effort.

Funded by MOST, the Research Center for Emerging Virus Infections (RCEVI) of Chang Gung University in Taiwan has been dedicated on the R&D of the infectious diseases. Through the referral by the Science and Technology division in Australia, RCEVI and the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute (BDI) in Australia will cooperate on the research of the effectiveness of the anti-parasitic drug "Ivermectin" in inhibiting the novel coronavirus, which the study might lead to the development of new antiviral drugs in the future.

On April 11, BDI announced that their joint research with the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity found that ivermectin drugs can inhibit the growth of SARS-CoV-2 within 48 hours and help cells to clear up the virus. After the news was released, it attracted worldwide attention and discussion. After MOST’s thorough assessment, director Shin-Ru Shih of the RCEVI was invited as chief researcher to discuss with the Australian research team regarding the study of ivermectin.

The researchers from both sides held the first video conference on May 7. Both parties showed a very high willingness to cooperate, and have reached a consensus on specific follow-up cooperation projects. In the future, RCEVI in Taiwan will provide virus isolates as well as P2 / P3 laboratory equipment, while BDI in Australia will provide experimental drugs to jointly study the inhibitory effect of ivermectin against SARS-CoV-2. In addition, the scope of cooperation will be further extended to HIV, Zika, the influenza, and dengue virus. Both parties also agreed that Chang Gung University and Monash University will sign cooperation and confidentiality agreements on behalf of both parties. Once the agreement is signed, specific research will be carried out as soon as possible. With a goal to achieve concrete results as early as possible to help fight the epidemic, MOST will continue to follow up the progress of the cooperation between the two parties and provide support when necessary.

The RCEVI was established in 2009, and has continuously carried out the research projects of the MOST. The core of this mission is to respond to the affect and threats caused by emerging viruses, such as SARS and avian influenza (H1N1). on socio-economic, transportation, ecological, and educational levels.

Media Contact

Specialist

Hua-Wei, Michael, CHANG,

Department of International Cooperation and Science Education

Ministry of Science and Technology

Tel: +886-2-2737-7151

Email: hwchang@nstc.gov.tw

Director

Suang-Jing, PONG

Science and Technology Division of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Australia

Tel: +61-2-6120-1001

Email: sjpong@nstc.gov.tw