Coronavirus: British Firm's New 'Breakthrough' Treatment Cuts Death Risk In Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients

In what seems like a breakthrough, a new treatment for coronavirus infection reduces the number of patients requiring intensive care, according to the results of a new clinical trial. A British drug manufacturing firm announced that an inhaled form of a commonly used medication could reduce the odds of severe illness in COVID-19 patients.

Southampton-based biotech firm Synairgen uses interferon-beta — a protein secreted by the human body during viral infections. Synairgen used SNG001 — the firm’s wholly-owned inhalation formulation of interferon beta.

SARS-CoV-2 attacks the body by blocking its natural interferon response and disarming the cells that would otherwise participate in the fight against the invading virus. Administering Interferon-beta in patients stimulated an immune response.

The clinical trial included 101 patients from 9 specialist hospital sites in the U.K. in the period between March 30 to May 27. The early results revealed that when COVID-19 patients inhaled the protein via a nebulizer, it might directly enter the lungs and stimulate an immune response.

The results revealed the following:

• Treatment with SNG001 reduced the odds of developing serious illness and the need for mechanical ventilators by 79%
• COVID-19 patients who inhaled SNG001 were 2 to 3 times more likely to recover to the point where they could carry out everyday activities without any difficulties
• Treatment significantly reduced breathlessness in hospitalized COVID-19 patients
• It also reduced the average time COVID-19 patients spent in hospitals by a third
• There were no deaths reported among those who took SNG001

"We are all delighted with the trial results announced today, which showed that SNG001 greatly reduced the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients who progressed from ‘requiring oxygen’ to ‘requiring ventilation’. This assessment of SNG001 in COVID-19 patients could signal a major breakthrough in the treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Our efforts are now focused on working with the regulators and other key groups to progress this potential COVID-19 treatment as rapidly as possible,” said Richard Marsden, CEO of Synairgen.

Although the results appear promising, they are yet to be peer-reviewed or published. Moreover, the sample size was also relatively small. However, if confirmed, the treatment could revolutionize the way COVID-19 is dealt with in clinical settings.

What is interferon beta?

It is a naturally occurring protein that gets released at the end of an immune attack. Not only does it block the action of gamma interferon (a cytokine), it also helps reduce inflammation. Several beta interferon drugs have been commonly used in treating multiple sclerosis.