Merck to Start Phase 2 Trial for Treatment of Severe Covid-19 Symptoms

Merck KGaA said Thursday that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared the investigational new drug application for M5049 for the treatment of Covid-19 patients with pneumonia.

The German pharmaceutical and chemicals company said it would initiate a Phase 2 clinical study to investigate whether the use of M5049 could reduce the inflammatory response that can lead to the “cytokine storm”–an overreaction of the body’s immune system–in coronavirus patients with pneumonia.

“Successful intervention with the investigational drug may reduce life-threatening complications of Covid-19, including severe respiratory symptoms,” the company said.

Merck said it expects results from the Phase 2 study around the end of 2020.

https://www.marketscreener.com/MERCK-KGAA-436395/news/Merck-to-Start-Phase-2-Trial-for-Treatment-of-Severe-Covid-19-Symptoms-30823929/