GSK tests experimental drug to treat pneumonia from Covid-19
For the study, about 800 patients with severe pulmonary Covid-19 related disease will receive either otilimab or placebo
FILE PHOTO: The GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) logo on top of GSK Asia House is seen through vertical louvres in Singapore, March 21, 2018. Picture taken March 21, 2018. REUTERS/Loriene Perera
GlaxoSmithKline has started a trial to test an experimental rheumatoid arthritis drug on patients suffering from Covid-19 related pneumonia, after screening its drugs for potential in the fight against the coronavirus.
Drug otilimab - in which GSK acquired rights from German biotech firm Morphosys in 2013 - may possibly ease the devastating effect of the virus on the lungs, while not suppressing the virus directly, a company spokesman said.
For the study, about 800 patients with severe pulmonary Covid-19 related disease will receive either otilimab or placebo, according to website ClinicalTrials.gov.
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Initial results are expected towards the end of 2020 and if promising, GSK would eye regulatory filings next year, the GSK spokesman said.
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