Coronavirus Update: Novartis Targets COVID-19 Cytokine Storm With Jakavi

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Novartis's Jakavi joins the likes of Roche's Actemra in targeting the life-threatening immune reaction which is killing acutely ill COVID-19 patients.

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Novartis is joining others in launching Phase III trials for therapies to treat acutely ill COVID-19 patients

Novartis AG is to launch a Phase III trial of Jakavi (ruxolitinib) to treat cytokine storm, the severe immune overreaction seen in some COVID-19 patients that can lead to life-threatening respiratory complications.

The company will work with Incyte, its Jakavi development and marketing partner, and says the decision to start the full-scale trial is based on promising signals from pre-clinical evidence and preliminary reports

The hope is that Jakavi could lead to faster recovery times, with fewer COVID-19 patients needing intensive care and mechanical ventilation

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