Will Biocon’s COVID-19 anti-inflammatory succeed where IL-6 blockers have failed?

With an Indian EUA for Alzumab, Biocon is now planning to run larger studies and collect real-world data that can demonstrate the CD6 inhibitor can effectively dampen the cytokine storm observed in severe COVID-19 patients, a feat IL-6 inhibitors have yet to demonstrate.

The company also needs to generate additional data beyond those from its 30-patient Phase II trial, which supported the Emergency Use Authorization, to persuade India’s National Task Force on COVID-19 to add the drug to its treatment protocol for the novel coronavirus. ...