NIC-MgO-HPMC for COVID-19

c19early.org

COVID-19 Treatment Clinical Evidence

COVID-19 involves the interplay of 400+ viral and host proteins and factors, providing many therapeutic targets. c19early analyzes 6,000+ studies for 210+ treatments—over 17 million hours of research. Only three high-profit early treatments are approved in the US. In reality, many treatments reduce risk, with 25 low-cost treatments approved across 163 countries.

Naso/oropharyngeal treatment Effective Treatment directly to the primary source of initial infection.
Healthy lifestyles Protective Exercise, sunlight, a healthy diet, and good sleep all reduce risk.
Immune support Effective Vitamins A, C, D, and zinc show reduced risk, as with other viruses.
Thermotherapy Effective Methods for increasing internal body temperature, enhancing immune system function.
Systemic agents Effective Many systemic agents reduce risk, and may be required when infection progresses.
High-profit systemic agents Conditional Effective, but with greater access and cost barriers.
Monoclonal antibodies Limited Utility Effective but rarely used—high cost, variant dependence, IV/SC admin.
Acetaminophen Harmful Increased risk of severe outcomes and mortality.
Remdesivir Harmful Increased mortality with longer followup. Increased kidney and liver injury, cardiac disorders.

NIC-MgO-HPMC may be beneficial for COVID-19 according to the studies below. COVID-19 involves the interplay of 400+ viral and host proteins and factors providing many therapeutic targets. Scientists have proposed 11,000+ potential treatments. c19early.org analyzes 210+ treatments. We have not reviewed NIC-MgO-HPMC in detail.

Studies suggesting benefit with NIC-MgO-HPMC

Choi et al., The Next Generation COVID‐19 Antiviral; Niclosamide‐Based Inorganic Nanohybrid System Kills SARS‐CoV‐2, Small, doi:10.1002/smll.202305148

AbstractThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic is a serious global threat with surging new variants of concern. Although global vaccinations have slowed the pandemic, their longevity is still unknown. Therefore, new orally administrable antiviral agents are highly demanded. Among various repurposed drugs, niclosamide (NIC) is the most potential one for various viral diseases such as COVID‐19, SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), MERS (middle east respiratory syndrome), influenza, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), etc. Since NIC cannot be effectively absorbed, a required plasma concentration for antiviral potency is hard to maintain, thereby restricting its entry into the infected cells. Such a 60‐year‐old bioavailability challenging issue has been overcome by engineering with MgO and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), forming hydrophilic NIC–MgO–HPMC, with improved intestinal permeability without altering NIC metabolism as confirmed by parallel artificial membrane permeability assay. The inhibitory effect on SARS‐CoV‐2 replication is confirmed in the Syrian hamster model to reduce lung injury. Clinical studies reveal that the bioavailability of NIC hybrid drug can go 4 times higher than the intact NIC. The phase II clinical trial shows a dose‐dependent bioavailability of NIC from hybrid drug suggesting its potential applicability as a game changer in achieving the much‐anticipated endemic phase.

N et al., Strategic Preparedness of Broad‐Spectrum Antivirals for Rapid Response Towards Next Pandemics, Small Science, doi:10.1002/smsc.202500480

The COVID‐19 pandemic has underscored the urgent need for broad‐spectrum antivirals (BSAs) capable of countering diverse and rapidly emerging viral threats. Unlike virus‐specific drugs, BSAs offer cross‐family protection and can serve as adaptable therapeutic platforms for pandemic preparedness. Advances in nanotechnology have further strengthened this approach by improving the solubility, stability, and targeted delivery of antiviral agents. Several repurposed drugs, such as niclosamide, favipiravir, remdesivir, nitazoxanide, and zinc‐ionophores, have demonstrated potential broad‐spectrum activity when formulated at the nanoscale. These nanoengineered platforms enhance pharmacokinetic performance, tissue penetration, and bioavailability, thereby enabling lower effective doses and reduced systemic toxicity. Such nanotechnological strategies not only improve antiviral efficacy across multiple viral families, including Coronaviridae, Flaviviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, and Poxviridae, but also support scalable, cost‐effective production suitable for global deployment. By integrating drug repurposing with nanoengineering, BSAs can form the cornerstone of future pandemic preparedness, bridging the gap between laboratory innovation and rapid clinical response to emerging infectious diseases.