AstraZeneca is set to conduct a global clinical trial of Calquence (acalabrutinib) to treat cytokine storm that manifests in severely ill Covid-19 patients.
Calquence is designed to selectively attach to and block the activity of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK). BTK signalling is known to stimulate pathways involved in B-cell proliferation, trafficking, chemotaxis and adhesion.
The drug holds approvals to treat chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) in adults. Named CALAVI, the trial will compare the safety and efficacy of the drug plus best supportive care (BSC) to BSC alone in patients hospitalised due to Covid-19-related respiratory complications.