COVID-19 ARCADIA Study

Patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes face up to three times the risk of dying if they catch COVID-19, an array of studies have shown.

The ARCADIA study looks to assess the safety and efficacy of a glucose kinase activator drug (AZD1656) in diabetic patients hospitalised with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.

The drug will be trialled on coronavirus patients at North Bristol NHS Trust who have 'mild to moderate' symptoms. If the drug proves effective, it could potentially be prescribed by a GP to diabetic people who have early symptoms of COVID-19.

The ARCADIA trial has received approval from the governmental Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).