EUSA Pharma to Begin Phase 3 Trial of Siltuximab for COVID-19 in U.S.

EUSA Pharma is launching a phase 3 clinical trial of its interleukin (IL)-6 antibody siltuximab for the treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

The trial will enroll 400 participants, who will either receive the drug or a placebo in addition to standard of care. The study will look for improvements in the patients’ lung function, the length of hospital stays and all-cause mortality.

Marketed as Sylvant, siltixumab is approved for the treatment of multicentric Castleman disease, a rare disease of the lymph nodes and related tissues.