Battle Creek Times

Sen. John Bizon (R-Battle Creek) is promoting the use of AVM0703, a promising drug in the fight against COVID-19. It functions by essentially "turning on" the immune system. It is currently in trials with the Food and Drug Administration for use in treating the coronavirus. The drug was created by AVM Biotechnology in Seattle. 

“The amazing thing is that this drug is based on a generic medicine currently available that doctors are using in many of the patients currently being treated for their COVID-19 infections, especially when they are hospitalized.,” Bizon told radio station WBCK. “Doctors typically give this medication in very small doses over an extended period of time. To get the effect of turning on the immune system, one very large dose must be given orally or by feeding tube.”

The generic drug, dexamethasone, is currently approved for use by the FDA, even in the higher doses that activate the immune system. 

According to the University of Michigan Health Department, dexamethasone is a steroid that prevents the release of substances that cause inflammation. It is used to treat conditions including allergic disorders, skin conditions, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, breathing disorders, blood cell disorders, leukemia, multiple sclerosis, joint inflammation and problems caused by low adrenal gland hormone levels.

“We could wait for the blessing of the federal government to approve the name-brand drug for use, waiting the weeks or months for that approval.  Or we could use the generic medicine now with no additional paperwork or trials,” Bizon told the radio station. “If you have family members who are very sick  with the virus, please consider asking your doctors to consider this  approach, or to consider using some other off-label medicines, such as  hydroxychloroquine with or without azithromycin, antiviral drugs, the  polio vaccine, the measles vaccine or immune builders like interferon.”

Dr. Bizon is an otolaryngologist -- a doctor who specializes in the ear, nose and throat -- who has been in medical practice for more than 40 years. Since November 2018, he has represented 19th District in the Michigan Senate.