Researchers led by Shajila Siricilla and Jennifer Herington systematically screened 1,191 FDA-approved drugs to identify existing medications that might slow preterm labor. The team was looking for compounds that could be repurposed as new treatments.
The screen produced several candidates that met criteria supporting further evaluation, including an asthma drug. The authors highlight the potential of drug repurposing to shorten the path from discovery to clinical application for preterm labor.
Because this was a screening study, the results are preliminary. The researchers note that the asthma drug and other candidates need more investigation to determine whether they are safe and effective for slowing preterm labor in humans.