This was a Phase III, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to assess the efficacy and safety of canakinumab in patients with COVID-19-induced pneumonia and cytokine release syndrome (CRS). The study enrolled patients to canakinumab or placebo, in addition to standard of care (SOC) per local practice, which may have included anti-viral treatment, corticosteroids and/or supportive care.~Patients who met the inclusion/exclusion criteria were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either canakinumab + SOC or placebo + SOC and were dosed immediately after ensuring that the patient met all eligibility criteria. Patients in the canakinumab arm were dosed on Day 1 with canakinumab 450 mg for body weight of 40-<60 kg, 600 mg for 60-80 kg or 750 mg for >80 kg in 250 mL of 5% dextrose infused IV over 2 hours. Patients in the placebo arm were administered with 250 mL of 5% dextrose infused IV over 2 hours.~The study included:~Screening period of 0-1 day~Study period from initial dose on Day 1 to Day 29 or hospital discharge~Follow-up to Day 127 The primary objective was to demonstrate the benefit of canakinumab + SOC in increasing the chance of survival without ever requiring invasive mechanical ventilation among patients with COVID-19-induced pneumonia and CRS.
This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to assess the efficacy and safety of canakinumab plus standard-of-care (SOC) compared with placebo plus SOC in patients with COVID-19-induced pneumonia and cytokine release syndrome (CRS).