COVID-19 Update for 5/29/2020

Remdesivir
 
Results were published from the first 397 patients enrolled in the 6,000 patient, Phase III, SIMPLE trial (NCT04292899), which found no difference in efficacy, measured on a seven-point scale that runs from death to not hospitalized, between a 5-day course of remdesivir and a 10-day course in hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19. The data suggested that earlier treatment was more efficacious than later treatment. An accompanying editorial recommended that 5-day treatment be given priority due to the limited supply of the drug.
 
Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG)
 
Octapharma is evaluating intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) as a treatment for severe COVID-19 in a 54-patient, Phase III trial.
 
Tocilizumab
 
Roche and Gilead will compare the effect of tocilizumab plus remdesivir to placebo on clinical status, mortality, mechanical ventilation use and intensive care unit variables in the 60-day, 450 patient, Phase III REMDACTA trial in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia.
 
PB1046
 
PhaseBio is evaluating PB1046 as a treatment for hospitalized COVID-19 patients at risk for clinical deterioration and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in the 210 patient, Phase II, VANGARD trial. The trial is expected to begin at the end of June with results from the trial expected by the end of 2020. PB1046 is an investigational vasoactive intestinal peptide (VPAC2) receptor-selective agonist being developed by PhaseBio as a treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.