The research is “extremely active” in France involving some 1,600 patients, Ader told a news conference.
Although Marseille-based professor Didier Raoult's study into the anti malarial drug chloroquine has grabbed the headlines, it is just one of more than 30 studies and clinical trials currently ongoing.
READ ALSO What is chloroquine and why do French scientists believe it can treat coronavirus?
Florence Ader gave a briefing at the Prime Minister's press conference on Sunday night. Photo: AFP
Among the other drugs being tested are those currently used to treat Ebola, Hepatitis and AIDS.
Ader heads up a study dubbed Discovery in collaboration with several other European countries, with researchers conducting clinical trials of four potential treatments including the controversial hydroxychloroquine.
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Of some 3,200 patients in Europe undergoing clinical trials, at least 800 are in France.
All are in hospital and severely ill with COVID-19.
Around the world some 150 projects seek to develop a vaccine against the novel coronavirus. France's prestigious Institut Pasteur will carry out trials on humans by this summer, Ader said.
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