Synairgen Initiates Dosing in Late-Stage Trial of Inhaled COVID-19 Therapy

UK drugmaker Synairgen has dosed the first patient in a global phase 3 trial evaluating an inhaled formulation of interferon beta-1a, SNG001, for treating hospitalized COVID-19 patients who require supplemental oxygen.

Synairgen has identified several UK sites and plans to enroll volunteers at clinics in the EU and U.S., where the FDA has granted SNG001 Fast-Track status. Waltham, Mass.-based Parexel Biotech will help conduct the trial.

The phase 3 study of SNG001 will eventually cover an estimated 20 countries and is expected to enroll 610 COVID-19 patients requiring mechanical ventilation. The UK drugmaker is also running a phase 2 trial of nonhospitalized COVID-19 patients.