Scientists have released a report claiming that two antiviral drugs can combine to protect monkeys against the deadly MERS virus and could potentially do the same for humans.

The researchers from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases conducted an experiment where rhesus monkeys were infected with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus. The monkeys were then given ribavirin and interferon and shown to have fewer viruses in their blood than monkeys without the cure. The monkeys also had no breathing difficulties and minimal evidence of pneumonia unlike the monkeys not given the cure.

The deputy health minister of Saudi Arabia, where most MERS cases originated, says they tried to drug cocktail on humans and had poor results.

“This is great news and much-needed information, although it’s very preliminary,” Dr. Ziad Memish told the New York Times. He added the drugs were given late in the infection’s process when the victims were already seriously ill.