FibroGen Initiates Phase 2 Trial Testing Pamrevlumab as a COVID-19 Treatment

FibroGen has initiated a phase 2 trial of its monoclonal antibody pamrevlumab for the treatment of hospitalized patients with acute COVID-19 infections.

The multicenter trial will assess the drug’s effect on blood oxygenation in 130 COVID-19 patients in the U.S. Participants in the randomized, double-blind study will either receive pamrevlumab or the standard of care.

Pamrevlumab is also being developed for treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, locally advanced unresctable pancreatic cancer and Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

The company is planning a second trial in the U.S. to assess the drug’s longer-term efficacy and safety in patients who are recovered or recovering from COVID-19 with evidence of interstitial lung disease. — Jordan Williams