According to the Cambridge Network, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) is starting a new clinical trial to test two experimental treatments for COVID-19. The trial, called TACTIC-E, will see whether EDP1815 or dapagliflozin and ambrisentan in combination are safe, effective, and protective against organ damage.
COVID-19: A Brief Overview
COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that began in Wuhan, China. Since its inception, COVID-19 spread to over 213 territories and countries worldwide. In most cases, COVID-19 causes mild symptoms such as a fever, persistent cough, and loss of smell and taste. However, in more severe cases, the virus results in pneumonia, respiratory distress, stroke, organ damage and failure, and even death.
As of the morning of June 23, there are 9.1 million diagnosed cases worldwide with 472,000 deaths. Of those, 2.36 million diagnoses and 122,000 deaths are from the United States alone. In the United Kingdom, where the TACTIC-E trial will take place, there are 305,289 diagnoses and 42,467 deaths.
TACTIC-E Trial
- Determining if any of these drugs are effective in improving patient outcomes
- Reducing or preventing organ damage
- Reducing inflammation throughout the body
EDP1815
EDP1815 is an orally-administered, experimental drug from Evelo Biosciences. It treats cells in the small intestine without being absorbed by the rest of the body, making it an extremely targeted biologic. Through this, EDP1815 controls bodily inflammation with the goal of reducing impacts from the cytokine storm associated with severe COVID-19.
Dapagliflozin and Ambrisentan
Currently, dapagliflozin and ambrisentan are approved for the treatment of diabetes and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Patients with severe COVID-19 often develop heart or lung damage. While dapagliflozin protects against heart damage, ambrisentan improves oxygen in the blood stream. Used together, researchers hope that it would reduce adverse reactions and improve patient health.
