NIH Launches Trial of Rigel’s Fostamatinib for COVID-19 Patients

The National Institutes of Health has launched a phase 2 clinical trial of Rigel Pharmaceuticals’ fostamatinib for the treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

The study will evaluate the drug’s safety and efficacy compared to a placebo in 60 patients who require supplemental oxygen or ventilation. Participants will be treated twice a day for 14 days.

Fostamatinib is currently approved in the U.S. and Europe as Tavalisse (fostamatinib disodium hexahydrate) for the treatment of thrombocytopenia, a condition that lowers blood platelet counts.