A drug that could help treat coronavirus is to be trialed on a small number of patients in England and Scotland.
The studies, which have been fast-tracked by the government, will initially involve 15 NHS centers.
The BBC reports that in the absence of a known treatment for the virus, a handful of experimental drugs are being tested globally.
The drug, known as remdesivir, is manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Gilead.
Two studies are to be carried out in the UK - one on patients with moderate symptoms, and one on those who are in a serious condition.
Trials are already underway in China and the US, with the first results expected in the coming weeks.
The UK trials will be based in England and Scotland and overseen by Dr. Andrew Ustianowski, a consultant in infectious diseases.