Novartis says trials of potential Covid-19 treatment fail

A late-stage study into a potential treatment for the most severe cases of Covid-19 has failed to meet its primary endpoint, Swiss drugs firm Novartis said on Monday.

Novartis has been assessing whether the drug, ruxolitinib, could reduce the number of hospitalised Covid-19 patients who experience severe complications, including ventilation, admission to intensive care and even death.

Novartis said that initial data from the 29-day, phase III study, known as the Ruxcovid trial, had shown there was "no statistically significant" reduction in the proportion of patients on ruxolitinib plus standard of care therapy who experienced severe complications compared to standard of care alone.

The trial also failed to show clinically relevant benefit among its secondary and exploratory endpoints, including mortality rate and recovery times.

John Tsai, head of global drug development and chief medical officer, said: "While the Ruxcovid trial did not give us the results we hoped for, we will continue working with the medical community to analyse its findings to better understand Covid-19."

Ruxolitinib has been licensed by Novartis from US firm Incyte for development and commercialisation outside of America.