Phase III Study of Inhaled Interferon Beta in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients Launches

UK-based Synairgen plc announced on January 13, 2021, that the first patient had been dosed in the United Kingdom as part of its global Phase III trial (SG018) evaluating Synairgen’s inhaled formulation of interferon beta-1a (SNG001) for the treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Interferon beta ('IFN-beta') is a naturally-occurring protein, which orchestrates the body's antiviral responses. It is used widely in treating multiple sclerosis and is a safe and well-tolerated drug.

There is growing evidence that the lung deficiency in IFN-beta production could explain the enhanced susceptibility in 'at-risk' patient groups to developing severe lower respiratory tract (lung) disease during respiratory viral infections. Furthermore, viruses, including coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2, have evolved mechanisms that suppress endogenous IFN-beta production, helping the virus to evade the innate immune system, says the company.

Synairgen’s SG018 trial is a randomized placebo-controlled study conducted in approximately 20 countries, enrolling 610 COVID-19 patients who require supplemental oxygen.

SNG001 had been granted Fast Track status from the U.S. FDA on December 13, 2020.