1. National Institutes of Health - https://directorsblog.nih.gov/2020/08/04/exploring-drug-repurposing-for-covid-19-treatment/


Reference for NIH Clinical Study

A study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that when used with remdesivir, clofazimine may help block COVID-19 infections. In fact, Dr. Francis Collins, the director of NIH, claims that clofazimine may reduce “the number of SARS-CoV-2 infected cells by 65% to 85%.”


University of California, Santa Cruz

Clofazimine is an FDA-approved drug that has been used to treat leprosy for many years. It is also a drug that is being clinically tested because of its potential in treating COVID-19.


Clofazimine as a Treatment for COIVD-19

Clinical Study: National Institutes of Health (July 2020 Completion)

Expected to be completed by September 2021, the University of Hong Kong is currently conducting a Phase II study to determine the safety of using clofazimine when combined with interferon beta-1b (an immunosuppressive drug used to reduce relapse-remitting symptoms for disease like multiple sclerosis).  

For each trial, patients who have tested positive will be randomly assigned to one of three groups. The first group will be in a three-day course with one daily dose of interferon beta-1b for all three days, along with two doses of clofazimine on day one and one dose of clofazimine on day one and two daily doses of clofazimine on day two. The second group will be in a three-day course of two doses of clofazimine on day one and one dose of clofazimine on days two and three. The third group will be the control group and will only receive standard care throughout the three days.


Clinical Study: University of Hong Kong (September 2021 Completion)

1. Mayoclinic - https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/clofazimine-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20063096?p=1


Reference for Clofazimine Description

Clofazimine, a functional inhibitor of acid sphingomyelinase (FIASMA), completes its functions by binding to the guanine bases of bacterial DNA, blocking the template function of the DNA, and thus, creating actions that prevent bacterial reproduction.


Mode of Action

It is suggested that the antimicrobial properties of clofazimine are a result of the drug’s interaction with bacterial membrane phospholipids, which generates membrane-destabilizing effects among lysophospholipids. Consequently, the effect creates an interference in the process of cellular respiration by reducing ATP production, and thus, limiting host-interaction among and production of bacteria.  

The anti-inflammatory activities of clofazimine, however, seem to be the result of the drug’s inhibition of the activation and proliferation of T-cells. Though T-cells play a crucial role in the immune response, they are often the source of inflammation when trying to combat foreign substances. 



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