EU evaluates arthritis drug to treat COVID-19 patients with pneumonia

 European Union flags flutter outside the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium May 5, 2021. REUTERS FILE PHOTO

The European medicines regulator said on
Monday it is evaluating an application to use arthritis drug,
Kineret, to treat COVID-19 in adult patients with pneumonia who
are at risk of developing severe respiratory failure.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said it will assess data
including results from two ongoing clinical studies
investigating the safety and efficacy of the drug in patients
hospitalized with COVID-19.

Kineret, currently authorized to treat a number of
inflammatory conditions, is made by Swedish rare disease drug
maker Sobi.

The drug reduces the activity of the immune system, and its
active substance blocks the activity of a chemical messenger in
the immune process that leads to inflammation.

“It is thought that this could also help reduce the
inflammation and tissue damage associated with COVID-19,” the
EMA said, adding that it expects the outcome from the evaluation
in October.