Two drugmakers have joined an experimental trial being run by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center that uses artificial intelligence to rapidly evaluate and adjust COVID-19 treatments. Amgen and Japanese drugmaker Eisai joined the trial, which enrolled its first patient Oct. 26. Both drugmakers’ experimental COVID-19 therapies are being evaluated by reinforcement learning, a type of AI that can adjust treatment protocols based on data revealing how each patient responds to the novel drugs.
The reinforcement learning approach allows critical questions to be addressed with real-time data rather than letting time pass until a specified sample size is achieved. The trial design also improves the likelihood that participants could benefit from the treatments they’re receiving. Amgen’s apremilast and Eisai’s eritoran, both inflammation suppressors, are being tested in the trial.
Mallinckrodt Launches Retrospective Study for Inhaled Therapy in COVID-19
Mallinckrodt has launched a retrospective chart review study which will collect real-world data on the use of INOmax (nitric oxide) gas for inhalation therapy in patients with respiratory complications associated with COVID-19. INOmax is already indicated for the treatment of term and near-term neonates with hypoxic respiratory failure associated with pulmonary hypertension.
Mallinckrodt will partner with Pharmerit to collect data from around 200 hospitalised adult patients with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis, who were treated with INOmax for pulmonary complications associated with COVID-19 for at least 24 hours between 1 January 2020 and 31 July 2020. The study will aim to describe the disease course of patients initiating INOmax for management of COVID-19 symptoms, as well as assess the clinical outcomes of patients who received INOmax early versus late.