Sanofi’s and Regeneron’s Kevzara Flops as COVID-19 Treatment

Sanofi’s and Regeneron’s rheumatoid arthritis drug Kevzara (sarilumab) failed in a late-stage trial as a COVID-19 treatment in which some patients experienced serious adverse events, including pneumonia.

The phase 3 study tested 200-mg or 400-mg doses of Kevzara vs. a placebo in 420 severely or critically ill COVID-19 patients. The benefits from the treatment, including shorter hospital stays and faster improvements in clinical outcomes, were not statistically significant.

The companies said they do not expect to pursue further studies of Kevzara as a COVID-19 treatment.