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Researchers in Germany have identified an existing anti-viral drug which might be used to treat Sars - the respiratory disease that has killed nearly 800 people worldwide.
Writing in the medical journal The Lancet, scientists from the Frankfurt Medical School say tests show a drug called Glycyrrhizin is effective against the virus suspected of causing Sars.
There are indications that the Sars epidemic, which has infected more than 8,000 people around the world, could be over without the need for drugs.
The World Health Organization says the Sars epidemic may be nearing its end, with a decline in the number of new cases appearing each day.
China - the country hardest hit by the virus - reported no new cases or deaths from Sars on Friday, the 19th consecutive day that the nation has recorded fewer than 10 new cases.
On Thursday, David Heymann, the WHO's chief infectious disease expert, said China's anti-Sars measures were now "excellent".
He praised the country's health system for its high level of commitment and determination to combat the disease, and said that this was largely responsible for the dramatic decline in cases.
But other areas are still in the grip of the virus.
On Friday, Taiwan's health authorities reported six more cases. A medical worker also died, bringing the island's death toll to 81.
Trials needed
The German scientists who claim to have made a breakthrough say the drug Glycyrrhizin significantly reduces the ability of the virus that causes Sars to replicate itself.
"Since the side effects of this compound are known and can be controlled for, proper monitoring could lead to effective use of glycyrrhizin as a treatment for Sars," said Jindrick Cinatl in The Lancet report.
Glycyrrhizin is manufactured from the roots of the liquorice plant and is already used to treat hepatitis C and HIV infections.
However, the scientists say they do not understand exactly how the drug combats Sars.
BBC science correspondent Richard Black says because the drug is currently in use it will not have to go through a full course of safety tests.
Although trials will be needed to show it works as well in people as it does in the laboratory.
The German researchers also claimed that ribavirin, a drug which some doctors have been using to treat Sars patients, has no effect.
Although the number of new Sars cases is falling, Gro Harlem Brundtland, of the WHO, said: "It is very important that countries remain on their guard, that they do not become lax.
"We have several examples where we have seen the figures drop in one country before seeing a new wave."
In Taiwan, three of the six new cases were from the Taipei Municipal Yang-Ming Hospital, where a minor outbreak of the epidemic was detected late last week.
Fourteen cases of the pneumonia-like respiratory disease have been linked to Yang-Ming.
But health authorities on the island say the outbreak at the hospital has been brought under control.
The world health body this week rejected a call by Taiwanese officials to have the island removed from a travel warning list.
Content provided by ArmMed Media
Revision date: 12 December 2007
Last revised by Amalia K. Gagarina, M.S., R.D.
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