Pfizer BioNTech

According to a Wall Street Journal report, the preferred Covid-19 shot globally is the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

Burlingame, California-based Humanigen reported positive data from the company’s Phase Ib ZUMA-19 trial of lenzilumab in patients treated with CAR-T in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Lenzilumab is being investigated for the drug compound’s ability to tamp down the hyper-immune response known as a cytokine storm.

Novel coronavirus

According to separate studies, blood type does not affect susceptibility to Covid-19 in U.S. patients and an inhaled steroid commonly used to treat asthma can help keep patients with mild Covid-19 from getting sicker.

Newly announced findings from a Phase III trial conducted by CytoDyn indicate that the use of the late-stage biotechnology company’s CCR5 antagonist candidate Vyrologix (leronlimab) was safe and improved the survival rate in critically ill hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019.

Mesenchymal stem cells derived from umbilical cord tissue could help treat ARDS in Covid-19 patients, according to results of a Phase I/IIa clinical trial published by University of Miami researchers.

Humanigen Inc. and EVERSANA announced that they are partnering to make lenzilumab available to hospitalized and hypoxic Covid-19 patients in the event that an Emergency Use Authorization is issued from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and subsequent BLA.

Incyte and Novartis announced a Phase III study of Jakafi (ruxolitinib), a first-in-class JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor, failed to hit endpoints as a treatment for patients 12 and up with Covid-19 associated cytokine storm.

Novartis inked an exclusive worldwide license and collaboration deal with Australia-based Mesoblast to develop, commercialize and manufacture remestemcel-L for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), including when it is linked to Covid-19.

Veru Inc. is developing a dual anti-inflammatory/antiviral medication to combat severe Covid-19 infections.