A phase-2-study, pivotal for clinical development of lanadelumab for treatment of COVID-19

COVID-19 can lead to fluid in the lungs, causing oxygen deficiency. If this is present for a long time, it can lead to intensive care (IC) admission and ultimately death. There are indications that the virus disrupts the regulation of blood vessel wall permeability because the virus reduces the function of the protein angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result, quinines produced can no longer be broken down at the site of the infection. Quinines can make the blood vessel wall permeable to fluid. Research and expected outcomes This study investigates whether inhibiting the production of quinines with the drug lanadelumab can lead to a rapid recovery from oxygen deficiency. The aim of this treatment is to prevent an ICU admission when patients are admitted to hospital and have signs of fluid in the lungs and oxygen deficiency. If there is a clear effect, the strategy to inhibit the quinine system in COVID-19 will be investigated in larger trials.