Robin Benson
[FYI request #14640 email] Ref: DOIA 2021-1458
9 March 2021
Dear Robin
I refer to your request dated 9 February for information under the Official Information
Act 1982 (the OIA):
1.
Please provide any and all details of MBIE and/or NZ government investigation,
including dates and frequency of assessment, into treatment and/or mitigation
of Covid19. Such treatments/mitigations may include the following examples:
a. Hydroxychloroquine (also known as HCQ)
b. Hydroxychloroquine in conjunction with zinc
c. Ivermectin
d. Vitamin D
e. REGN-COV2
f. LY-CoV555 (antibody)
g. LY-CoV016 (antibody)
h. Remdesivir
2.
If there are no details pursuant to the above, why is this the case? Please
provide a comprehensive response including logical and evidence supporting
any such decisions to not undertake assessments as applicable.
3.
If the MBIE is not the correct governmental agency to provide responses to the
above, please outline which agency/agencies would be responsible as a matter
of urgency.
MBIE has not directly investigated or assessed medicines, treatments, or therapeutics
for the purpose of treating COVID-19. The COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy, which was led
by MBIE, was limited to assessing and purchasing safe and effective vaccines for New
Zealand.
However, in support of the Government’s broader COVID-19 response, MBIE funded
three projects involving COVID-19 treatments through the COVID-19 Innovation
Acceleration Fund. I have attached the public statements for the three projects:
Douglas Pharmaceuticals: To evaluate whether hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)
reduces the risk to frontline healthcare workers (HCW) of acquiring SARs-CoV-2
infection.
South Pacific Sera: Therapeutic antibodies against SAR-CoV-2 for the treatment
of COVID-19
Victoria Link Limited: Tackling New Zealand's need for rapid access to anti-viral
medication for the treatment of COVID-19
The Douglas Pharmaceuticals project supported the Heath Research Council’s (HRC)
proposed clinical trials into the use of hydroxychloroquine as a potential COVID-19
treatment. The project ended on 30 August 2020 as the HRC chose not to use
hydroxychloroquine in their trials in response to emerging evidence from other
international trials. You can find more information about those trials here:
https://www.hrc.govt.nz/news-events/update-new-zealands-rapid-response-covid-19-
clinical-trials The Victoria Link project concluded on 20 October 2020. The South Pacific Sera project
began on 11 January 2021 and is ongoing.
The full list of projects funded through the COVID-19 Innovation Acceleration Fund can
be found here:
https://www.mbie.govt.nz/science-and-technology/science-and-
innovation/funding-information-and-opportunities/investment-funds/covid-19-
innovation-acceleration-fund/ The Health Research Council will also have more information on the Government’s
assessments of COVID-19 treatments.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this
decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602. Please contact me if you
wish to discuss any aspect of your request or this response.
Yours sincerely
Simon Rae
Manager, International Science Partnerships
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
Annex: Project public statements
Douglas Pharmaceuticals:
To evaluate whether hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) reduces the risk to
frontline healthcare workers (HCW) of acquiring SARs-CoV-2 infection.
We seek to determine whether hydroxychloroquine, a treatment for malaria, is effective at
reducing the risk to frontline healthcare workers of developing COVID-19. This is being done to
help ensure that medical professionals we are available when needed to treat patients with
COVID-19 in a hospital setting.
The clinical study is planned to start in the second half of 2020. Douglas are manufacturing the
investigational products for this trial which will be sponsored by the Medical Research Institute
of New Zealand (MRINZ).
South Pacific Sera:
Therapeutic antibodies against SAR-CoV-2 for the treatment of COVID-19
Without a vaccine or an effective treatment, New Zealand remains vulnerable to COVID-
19. This proposal will develop antibody technologies which can be given to individuals to
reduce the risk of virus infection or provide treatment to lessen the impact of
disease. Working in parallel with New Zealand’s leading capability in viruses, immunology,
vaccines, drug development and clinicians we will combine our unique biological capability
with international experience to tailor a solution which is specific and effective to the SARS-
CoV-2 virus to keep us safe at the border, protect our front line staff and vulnerable, and
provide an effective treatment.
Victoria Link Limited:
Tackling New Zealand's need for rapid access to anti-viral medication for
the treatment of COVID-19
There are currently no anti-viral drugs specifically approved for treatment of COVID-19, but an
international effort is underway to evaluate potential drugs in clinical trials. When an effective
drug is identified, there will be heavy international demand. This project seeks to establish
whether, in the case that access to an effective anti-viral drug in NZ is delayed, we can produce
it in NZ, satisfy regulatory requirements and make this available for the treatment of COVID-19
patients. It unites world-class experts from NZ Universities, drug development capabilities of
GlycoSyn at Callaghan Innovation, and guidance from clinicians, regulatory and drug sourcing
experts.
