AB Science reports positive Phase II Covid-19 data for masitinib

AB Science has reported positive results from its Phase II trial of masitinib in hospitalized Covid-19 patients, combined with isoquercetin. The treatment improved patient clinical status significantly after 15 days, validating masitinib's anti-inflammatory properties. Detailed development plans following these findings have not been disclosed.

The trial (NCT04622865) originally aimed for 200 patients using the WHO seven-point ordinal scale but faced recruitment challenges, concluding with 95 patients. However, sensitivity analyses at days 12 to 14 showed strong treatment effects with statistically significant p-values.

Masitinib, an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor, also shows promise as a SARS-CoV-2 protease inhibitor and in mast cell inhibition for inflammation. It has been studied across various diseases, including cancers, multiple sclerosis (MS), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Despite positive Covid-19 data, AB Science is addressing setbacks after a negative CHMP recommendation for masitinib in ALS treatment, seeking re-examination. Masitinib's development was in collaboration with the University of Chicago based on its inhibition of the SARS-CoV-2 protease.