Several studies are underway in Australia to determine if existing drugs can be repurposed to treat COVID-19. A site at the University of Melbourne is looking at whether or not nefamostat, a drug used to treat pancreatitis in Japan and Korea, can interfere with the disease’s spike protein binding to human cells. The George Institute for Global Health and University of Sydney are also working together to determine if common blood pressure medications, if given to patients who would not otherwise be taking them, can improve COVID-19 outcomes. Additionally, a cancer centre in Melbourne is looking at whether three separate cancer medications can help to improve COVID-19 outcomes, including inhaled interferon, the leukemia drug lenzilumab and selinexor, another drug used to treat blood cancers.