Noxcovid trial advances to final stage

Drug development company Noxopharm has reported positive results for use in its drug Veyonda in preventing septic shock in seriously ill patients infected by the Covid-19 virus.

The Sydney company tested 26 patients with varying doses of Veyonda, a product based on an existing anti-cancer drug.

The patients with moderately severe disease had very poor lung function and tolerated the highest dose of 1,800mg a day of Veyonda, confirming the safety of the drug.

Veyonda is known to block cytokine release syndrome (CRS) in which the body releases a ‘storm’ of inflammatory chemicals, thereby reducing long-term disabilities and death.

Initially it is hoped it will reduce progression of cases on to mechanical ventilation and ICU care.

Noxopharm CEO Dr Graham Kelly said the company has taken a cautious approach with dosage as it was being used for the first time in Covid-19 patients.

Kelly said: “We can now be confident that Veyonda, despite its potency, is well tolerated at a dosage we believe will be therapeutic.”

Part two of the trial will now progress to recruiting more patients with moderate to severe lung dysfunction.

Picture: Noxopharm

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