Novartis and Incyte Plan Second Phase 3 Trial of Jakafi for COVID-19

Incyte and Novartis are planning a second phase 3 clinical trial in the U.S. of their JAK inhibitor Jakafi (ruxolitinib) as a COVID-19 treatment.

The trial will evaluate the drug’s safety and efficacy along with the standard of care compared to standard-of-care therapy alone in COVID-19 patients on mechanical ventilation and who have acute respiratory distress syndrome.

The companies launched a phase 3 trial of Jakafi last month to treat cytokine storm — an immune response in which the body attacks its own cells — in COVID-19 patients.

Incyte has also launched an expanded-access program in the U.S. to make the drug available for eligible patients with COVID-19 associated cytokine storm. — Jordan Williams