U.K.-based Synairgen has begun a clinical trial of its antiviral SNG001 in COVID-19 patients at its initial trial site.

The company is conducting a phase 2 trial of the inhaled formulation of interferon-beta-1a. The pilot phase will include 100 COVID-19 patients.  

In two phase 2 clinical trials of SNG001 in asthma patients, the drug activated antiviral pathways in the lung and improved lung function in patients with respiratory viral infections.