The drug could help prevent “cytokine storms,” a dangerous complication that can stem from Covid-19. Credit: Ricardo Carrasco III.

Physicians from Keck Medicine of USC are set to launch a clinical trial to study the effects of an anti-inflammatory drug on treating patients with moderate to severe coronavirus (Covid-19).

The medication baricitinib has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

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Baricitinib is an oral JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor with approvals in more than 65 countries to treat adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis.

The drug’s anti-inflammatory activity is expected to act on the inflammatory cascade associated with Covid-19.

Keck Medicine infectious disease specialist Michael Dube said: “We are learning that in some Covid-19 cases, inflammation might be driving the need for intubation and causing poor outcomes.”

Baricitinib has been shown to lower levels of a cytokine known as interleukin-6, which is a dangerous complication that can stem from Covid-19.

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The drug is also said to lower levels of other cytokines.

The clinical trial is designed as a double-blind, randomised controlled study where half the participants will receive a baricitinib tablet as a daily regimen and the other half will receive a placebo.

A total of 144 patients from Keck Hospital of USC, USC Verdugo Hills Hospital and Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center are expected to be enrolled for the research.

Dube added: “Our premise is that by using baricitinib to reduce the inflammation, we may be able to slow down the progress of the disease, stop the need for a ventilator, and save lives.”

Last month, Eli Lilly announced plans to conduct a clinical trial of baricitinib (Olumiant) for the treatment of patients with Covid-19.