Regeneron and Sanofi Start U.S. Studies Assessing Arthritis Drug As Coronavirus Treatment

By Joseph Walker

Drugmakers Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi have launched a U.S. clinical trial of their rheumatoid-arthritis drug Kevzara in hospitalized patients with serious complications from Covid-19, the companies said Monday.

Kevzara wouldn't treat the underlying coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2, but it could help reduce disease symptoms like fever and low blood-oxygen levels. Kevzara suppresses the body's inflammatory immune response to the virus, which scientists hypothesize may be overactive in patients with severe illness.

The Wall Street Journal reported on plans for the study last week.

The study will start out at medical centers in New York, including Mount Sinai and Northwell Health, and enroll up to 400 patients, a Regeneron spokeswoman said. The study's first stage will evaluate the drug's ability to reduce fever and supplemental oxygen, compared with placebo.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

March 16, 2020 10:55 ET (14:55 GMT)

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:REGN)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024