RESEARCHERS are seeking people in Trafford and across Greater Manchester to participate in a trial for a new coronavirus drug.

The trial is at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, with one arm running at Manchester Royal Infirmary from Friday and another arm running at Wythenshawe Hospital in the coming months.

It involves a drug called Molnupiravir, a pill developed for the treatment of viruses like coronavirus, as well as influenza, or flu.

Researchers hope Molnupiravir is going to protect people who contract these viruses from severe disease.

Dr Shazaad Ahmad, a consultant virologist for the Manchester Medical Microbiology Partnership, is the principal investigator for the Manchester Royal Infirmary arm of the trial.

He said: "The UK’s vaccination programme has been impressive and it has led to a decrease in infection and hospitalisation rates.

"However, it won't eradicate infections entirely, and it's therefore essential that we continue to find treatments for those people who do contract the virus to prevent them from developing severe disease."

As a part of the national AGILE platform, the trial for Molnupiravir is to be fast-tracked in its early stages.

But Dr Ahmad stressed the success of the trial depends on the willingness of volunteers to participate in it.

He said: "To carry out this vital research, we rely on volunteer trial participants to help us see which treatments will be most effective – which is why we're asking people across Greater Manchester to consider taking part in the trial."

To find out more about the trial, contact Manchester Royal Infirmary via email at CST2.agile@mft.nhs.uk.