Alexion Pharmaceuticals Plans Phase 3 Trial of Ultomiris for Severe COVID-19

Alexion Pharmaceuticals plans to initiate a global phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate Ultomiris (ravulizumab-cwvz) in hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19.

The trial will evaluate the drug in approximately 270 adults hospitalized with severe pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Ultomiris is approved in the U.S. for adults with two rare blood diseases — paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome.