Yale researchers will conduct a clinical trial to test asthma drug MN-166 (ibudilast) as a potential treatment for severe COVID-19 patients.

Ibudilast has been approved in Japan and Korea for treatment of asthma. The trial will evaluate the drug for treating acute respiratory distress syndrome, a lung condition developed by seriously ill COVID-19 patients.

The researchers will partner with California-based MedicNova for the trial. MedicNova was developing ibudilast for treatment of multiple sclerosis and neuroinflammation.