Volunteers are being sought for trials of a drug that researchers hope can “kill off” coronavirus.

The recruitment drive has been launched by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, which covers both Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire, and is aimed at people who have previously tested positive for Covid-19.

Tests are being carried out on an antiviral tablet called favipiravir which, unlike many other treatments for coronavirus, is being targeted at those in the early stages of the disease and must be taken within four days of a positive result.

The drug can be taken at home and is intended for people with milder symptoms, rather than those who need hospital treatment.

It has already been shown to be successful in tackling many other viruses and is used in Japan to treat patients suffering from influenza.

This new study will assess the effectiveness of the drug to help with symptoms and reduce the time it takes to recover from Covid-19.

The antiviral treatment is taken in tablet form. Half the patients involved will receive the drug twice a day for 10 days, alongside standard treatment, with the other half only receiving standard treatment, so that a comparison can be made.

Professor Rob Jones, the study’s chief investigator, said: “If you have recently been diagnosed with Covid-19 and would like to contribute to groundbreaking research, please get in touch.

“We are looking for people who have just recently been diagnosed with Covid-19, within four days of a positive test result. We are looking to see whether this antiviral treatment will help kill off the virus and prevent more serious complications.”

Dr Janet Scott (MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research) said: “This drug is active against many viruses, it is used already for influenza in Japan. We are able to offer the trial not just to patients in hospital but also for home use. Our hope is that it will stop mild symptoms developing into serious ones.”

For more details about taking part in the study, visit www.getafix-trial.org.uk/.