A Manchester man has become the first UK patient to be given an experimental arthritis drug as part of a clinical trial to treat severe Covid-19.
In addition to receiving standard care at Manchester Royal Infirmary, Farhan Hamid has received a dose of otilimab - which is under investigation as a potential treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
Mr Hamid, 41, from south Manchester, who is currently in an intensive care unit, was recruited to take part in the Oscar (Otilimab in Severe Covid-19 Related Disease) study on September 11.
The aim of the research is to assess the effectiveness of otilimab in treating severe lung disease associated with Covid-19 infection.