EUSA Launches Trial of Siltuximab for COVID-19 Complications

EUSA Pharma has begun a clinical trial of siltuximab, an interleukin (IL)-6 targeted monoclonal antibody, to treat patients with COVID-19 who have developed serious respiratory complications.

The trial will include hospitalized patients prior to admission to an intensive care unit and patients already requiring intensive care. Primary endpoints of the trial are a reduction in the need for invasive ventilation, time spent in ICU or 30-day mortality. Initial data are expected later this month.

Marketed as Sylvant, siltuximab is currently approved by the FDA and EMA for treatment of  patients with multicentric Castleman disease who are HIV-negative and human herpesvirus-8 negative. The rare disease affects the lymph nodes and related tissues.