COVID-19 patients on Ascletis’ HCV drug discharged; plus Mesoblast allogeneic stem cells for COVID-19, Acceleron, Bridge-Atomwise, Cellectis and Abpro

Ascletis Pharma Inc. (HKEX:1672) said all 11 COVID-19 patients in a cohort receiving Ganovo danoprevir plus ritonavir in a Chinese Phase IV trial have been discharged from the hospital after satisfying discharge criteria under “Diagnosis and Treatment Program for Novel Coronavirus Infection (Trial Version 6),” issued by China’s National Health Commission. Ganovo, a protease inhibitor, received NMPA approval in 2018 to treat HCV (see “Ascletis Clinical Update”).

Mesoblast Ltd. (ASX:MSB; NASDAQ:MESO) said it intends to evaluate whether remestemcel-L, its allogeneic mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy, could benefit patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by COVID-19. The mortality rate for COVID-19 patients with ARDS has been reported to be near 50%. The company said a post hoc analysis of a clinical chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) study showed the cell therapy improved pulmonary function and reduced levels of inflammatory biomarkers that are also elevated in COVID-19 patients...