Kiwi researchers are joining the international effort to find a cure for COVID-19.
Three major clinical trials are being funded to test a series of treatments, including the much talked about anti-malarial drug.
While the frontline fights to save lives, there's a second battle underway to find answers and a potential cure.
Now the Health Research Council is funding three major trials - one involving thousands of intensive care patients around the world.
Auckland intensive care specialist, Dr Colin McArthur, is among those leading the trial.
"There are no specific treatments at the moment and we will be part of an international program to try and work out which drugs have an effect," he told Newshub.
He'll be trialling treatments including an HIV drug lopinavir/ritonavir, as well as that much-debated malaria medicine, hydroxychloroquine.
Donald Trump has pushed the drug in the fight against COVID-19, but experts say more testing is needed.
"There is some early evidence to suggest that it might be helpful, but we don't know for sure and we don't know if the benefits outweigh the side effects that these medications have," said Dr McArthur.
A second trial will look at therapies specifically to prevent healthcare workers from catching coronavirus from patients.
Professor Richard Beasley, the director of the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, says they're investigating different treatments.
"We're investigating whether hydroxychloroquine given once a week, in the same way that it would be given for malaria prophylaxis may be effective in reducing the risk to these frontline healthcare workers."
Professor Beasley warns against going blindly forward and says clinical trials are crucial.
By taking part in the international trials New Zealand will be ensured the best treatment available as soon as possible.
