A clinical study has started in the United States on the initiative of the French laboratory Sanofi and the American Regeneron on patients hospitalized with a severe form of the coronavirus Covid-19, announced these two laboratories, Monday, March 16. Patient recruitment will begin immediately. Regeneron will conduct the trial in the United States, while Sanofi will be responsible for future trials in the rest of the world, particularly in Italy.

Kevzara (sarilumab), is an immunosuppressant developed jointly by Sanofi with Regeneron, launched in 2017 to treat rheumatoid arthritis. It is a monoclonal antibody against the receptor for interleukin-6 (IL-6), a protein in the immune system that plays a role in the inflammatory process. IL-6 could play a role in the inflammatory response of the lungs of patients severely affected by Covid-19, specify the two laboratories.

This trial, which will be conducted in many centers in the United States, will aim to assess the safety and effectiveness of adding Kevzara to symptomatic treatments, compared to a placebo. Four hundred patients are expected to be recruited.

The first part of the trial will assess the effect of Kevzara on patients' fever and their need for additional oxygenation. The second part of the trial will assess the long-term improvement, in particular in terms of mortality and reduction of hospitalization and oxygenation needs.

"We believe there is scientific evidence showing that Kevzara may be a potentially important treatment option for some patients," said John Reed, world research and development manager for Sanofi, who was quoted in the statement as saying.

Data from a study of 21 patients in China showed that patients who received another monoclonal antibody against the interleukin-6 receptor, tocilizumab, had their fever and their need for additional oxygen reduced, recalls the press release.

In parallel, the French pharmaceutical group is working on the development of a vaccine against Covid-19, associated with the United States Department of Health.

With AFP

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