Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB: Sobi to initiate a clinical study to evaluate whether anakinra and emapalumab may relieve complications associated with severe COVID-19 disease
Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (publ) (https://www.sobi.com/en/investors/fda-approves-gamifantr-emapalumab-first-and-only-treatment-primary-haemophagocytic) (Sobi™) (STO:SOBI) will begin a short-term clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of anakinra and emapalumab in the treatment of hyper-inflammatory syndrome, one of the most serious complications associated with severe COVID-19 disease. This is in response to a request from the National Institute for Infectious Diseases, the organisation which is acting as the coordinating site for the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Italy.
The products, which are currently used in the treatment of rare diseases, have been considered for investigation as a result of emerging data(1) and observations made by Italian physicians treating patients with COVID-19. A summary of the study protocol will be published on clinicaltrials.gov.
Patients who are treated or who may need treatment with emapalumab and anakinra for approved indications will not be impacted.
"The COVID-19 global pandemic requires everyone to play their part. We believe it is our duty to support this important request and will focus our attention on this exploratory study", says Guido Oelkers, CEO and President of Sobi.
About Sobi[TM]
Sobi is a specialised international biopharmaceutical company transforming the lives of people with rare diseases. Sobi is providing sustainable access to innovative therapies in the areas of haematology, immunology and specialty indications. Today, Sobi employs approximately 1,400 people across Europe, North America, the Middle East, Russia and North Africa. In 2019, Sobi's revenues amounted to SEK 14.2 billion. Sobi's share (STO:SOBI) is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. You can find more information about Sobi at www.sobi.com.
This information is information that Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (publ) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of Linda Holmström, Corporate Communications and Investor relations at 12:00 CET on 18 March 2020.
For more information please contact
Paula Treutiger, Head of Communication & Investor Relations
+ 46 733 666 599
paula.treutiger@sobi.com
Linda Holmström, Corporate Communication & Investor Relations
+ 46 708 734 095
linda.holmstrom@sobi.com