Repurposed autoimmune therapies head for controlled COVID-19 studies in Europe

Abivax and Immunic are launching COVID-19 trials of their autoimmune therapies in France and Germany, respectively, meeting regulators’ demands for large, controlled studies to demonstrate therapeutic efficacy. In the U.S., the patent office is fast-tracking coronavirus-related applications, and Obsidian is rolling out a free program for biopharmas to more easily social distance while continuing lab work.

There are at least 80 immunosuppressants in the clinic and at least 33 antivirals, according to BioCentury’s COVID-19 Resource Center...