Asunercept for the Treatment of Patients With Moderate to Severe COVID-19 Disease

A Multicenter, Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Double-blind, Phase III Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of Asunercept for the Treatment of Hospitalized Patients With Moderate to Severe COVID 19 Disease

This clincial trial is a prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III trial in hospitalized patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 corresponding to score 5 or 6 on the WHO 10-point clinical progression scale (Grade 0-10).

The investigational drug (APG101; International Nonproprietary Name: asunercept) will be given at a dose of 100 mg intravenously (i.v.) once weekly for a period of 4 weeks (1 dose each on d1, d8, d15, and d22) in addition to the treatment recommended by international, national, or local treatment guidelines (SoC) and will be compared with the control arm (i.e., SoC + placebo).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patient must be willing and able to give informed consent to participate in the trial and to adhere to the procedures stated in the protocol
• ≥18 years of age
• Patient is admitted to a hospital (max. 72 hours prior to randomization) due to COVID-19 and has a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test
• Clinical symptoms indicative of moderate or severe illness (corresponding to score 5 or 6 on the WHO 10-point clinical progression scale) with COVID 19 prior to trial treatment
• Patient agrees to not participate in another clinical trial from screening until day 56

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient is moribund or has an estimated life expectancy <1 month (e.g., terminal cancer, etc.)
• Patient is anticipated to be discharged from hospital within 48 hours
• Patient requires anti-inflammatory medicines beyond SoC (SoC are drugs that are approved for treatment of COVID-19 as well as medicines that have been recommended in treatment guidelines of national health authorities and/or professional organization)
• Patient requires invasive mechanical ventilation
• Patient is known to have active tuberculosis
• Patient is known to have hereditary fructose intolerance.
• Patient is known to have co-infection with Influenza viruses or other viral respiratory infections (respiratory syncytial virus [RSV], parainfluenza viruses, respiratory adenoviruses).