Opaganib, a sphingosine kinase-2 (SphK2) inhibitor, has been broadly tested in Phase I/II studies. Extensive nonclinical data indicates both anti-viral and anti-inflammatory activity via selective SphK2 inhibition which may prove beneficial for treating COVID-19 infection and resulting pneumonia. This proof of concept study will take place in the US and other countries and will enroll about 40 hospitalized patients diagnosed with COVID-19 infection who have developed pneumonia and require supplemental oxygen. Half of the patients, i.e. 20 patients, will receive opaganib in addition to standard of care for 14 days. The other 20 will receive matching placebo (capsules that do not contain the medication) in addition to standard of care. Study drug will be administered every day for 14 days, twice each day, unless the patient has been discharged from the hospital without requiring supplemental oxygen, in which case study drug will only be administered for 10 days. All participants will be followed up for 4 weeks after their last dose of study drug.
This proof of concept study will take place in the US and other countries in approximately 15 clinical sites and will enroll about 40 hospitalized patients diagnosed with COVID-19 infection who have developed pneumonia and require supplemental oxygen. 20 patients will receive opaganib in addition to standard of care twice each day for 14 days. 20 will receive matching placebo in addition to standard of care unless the patient has been discharged from the hospital without requiring supplemental oxygen, in which case study drug will only be administered for 10 days. All participants will be followed up for 4 weeks after their last dose of study drug.