Eli Lilly Begins Phase 3 Trial of Olumiant for COVID-19 Patients

Eli Lilly has begun enrolling patients for a phase 3 trial of its rheumatoid arthritis treatment Olumiant (baricitinib) for hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

The trial will examine the proportion of patients treated with 4 mg of Olumiant who die or require ventilation by day 28 compared with those given a placebo.

Lilly said the study will complement other ongoing baricitinib trials in COVID-19 patients, including one being conducted by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (DID, May 12).

The company said it plans to enroll 400 patients and expects data from the trial in the next few months. It will be conducted in the U.S., Europe and Latin America.

The FDA approved Olumiant in 2018 to treat adults with moderately-to-severely active rheumatoid arthritis who have an inadequate response to one or more tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonist therapies. — Jordan Williams