By guest writer Carol Dunton BENDEDREALITY.COM - April 2020 Researchers are signaling new hope in the fight against coronavirus. A new drug, headed for clinical trials, could become the first antiviral medication approved to treat the virus. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill says a team of scientists developed a drug treatment, called EIDD-2801, which may reduce lung damage in patients suffering from COVID-19. It would also come in pill form, making it even easier to give to patients. "This new drug not only has high potential for treating COVID-19 patients, but also appears effective for the treatment of other serious coronavirus infections," Prof. Ralph Baric said in a university release. The Drug is EIDD-2801 which may be administered as 'A PILL' and still be properly absorbed by the infected patient's lungs! It successfully prevented severe lung damage in mice that contracted coronavirus. Researchers say it worked in the animals if treated between 12 and 24 hours