Leronlimab May Hold Potential in Treating COVID-19

Leronlimab, the new experimental medication in phase 3 trial, may treat coronavirus patients effectively. It could be soon in second place after remdesivir to have peak sales for treating COVID-19, according to the current GlobalData sales forecast.

The drug, being currently developed by Gilead, is already marketed in Japan.

Coronavirus
Coronaviruses infect animals, humans, and birds. Human coronaviruses, such as SARS, MERS, and 2019-nCoV cause respiratory distress and even death. The S protein is the infectious agent of the virus.

‘Leronlimab could soon be one of the leading COVID-19 drugs by development stage. It is being investigated in two clinical trials for its efficacy and safety.’
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Johanna Swanson, Product Manager at GlobalData, comments: “Leronlimab Is currently in Phase III development for COVID-19, making it one of the leading COVID-19 drugs by development stage. Leronlimab is being investigated in two COVID-19 clinical trials - one study plans to recruit 75 subjects and the other 390 subjects.”

New recent research proved that leronlimab can decrease viral load in plasma and helps improve the immune system of COVID-19 patients. According to IncellDx, severely ill patients saw increased immune restoration and extubation within seven days of treatment.

Swanson continues: “While these results are promising, they are based on a small sample size of ten patients. Larger placebo-controlled clinical trials will need to be done to confirm these initial results.”

Leronlimab is the new experimental humanized immunoglobulin (Ig)G4 monoclonal antibody medication that was originally developed as a treatment for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

It targets CCR5, a molecular portal that HIV uses to enter cells. It has recently reached a milestone in securing quick designation from the FDA for treating HIV.

Swanson added: “Leronlimab is currently undergoing two COVID-19 clinical trials based on the drug’s ability to mitigate the COVID-19 cytokine storm. The cytokine storm can lead to an increased risk of leakage of fluid and proteins from blood vessels to the interstitial space, multiorgan failure, and eventually death if high cytokine concentrations are not reduced.”

Source-Medindia