Verona Pharma has initiated a study of its ensifentrine MDI in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 at the University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB), the company said. The company has been developing the MDI formulation for the treatment of COPD and recently initiated a Phase 2b trial for that indication after a delay caused by the pandemic. Verona also has nebulized and DPI formulations of ensifentrine in clinical development.
The study is expected to enroll approximately 45 patients who will receive either 2 mg of ensifentrine or placebo via MDI twice a day in addition to standard of care until discharge or for 29 days, whichever comes first. The primary endpoint will be the proportion of patients who are recovered and out of the hospital at 29 days.
Principal Investigator Mike Wells of UAB commented, “Therapies are urgently needed to treat patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Ensifentrine has demonstrated impressive effects on improving lung function and symptoms in patients with obstructive lung diseases, along with notable anti-inflammatory effects following inhaled dosing in clinical trials to date. Combined with positive safety results, ensifentrine has the potential to significantly benefit patients suffering from COVID-19.”
Verona Pharma President and CEO David Zaccardelli said, “The need for effective COVID-19 treatments to reduce the disease burden is clear and we believe ensifentrine, with its novel mechanism of action, could help to improve patient outcomes. If the pilot study is successful, we are committed to progressing ensifentrine as a treatment for COVID-19 and, if approved, increasing supplies to meet public health needs.”
Read the Verona Pharma press release.
