METHODS OF TREATING CORONAVIRUS INFECTIONS

The disclosure is directed to methods of using dantrolene or a dantrolene prodrug, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to treat coronavirus infections.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure is directed to methods of using dantrolene or a dantrolene prodrug, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to treat coronavirus infections.

BACKGROUND

Coronaviruses (Coronaviridae, Orthocoronavirinae) cause diseases in mammals and birds. In humans, the viruses cause respiratory infections, including the common cold. Coronaviruses cause, for example, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), COVID-19, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. Coronaviruses pose a threat to worldwide public health. Treatments effective to treat these viruses are needed.

SUMMARY

The disclosure is directed to methods of treating a coronavirus infection in a subject comprising administering to the subject dantrolene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or by administering a dantrolene prodrug or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The disclosure is also directed to methods for inhibiting replication of a coronavirus in a subject comprising administering to the subject dantrolene, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or by administering a dantrolene prodrug or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The disclosure is also directed to methods for inhibiting replication of a coronavirus in a host cell, inhibiting entry of a coronavirus into a host cell, inhibiting a coronavirus virion maturation in a host cell, or inhibiting release of a coronavirus from a host cell comprising administering to the host cell dantrolene, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or by administering a dantrolene prodrug or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The disclosure is also directed to methods for reducing the infectivity of a coronavirus by administering to a host cell dantrolene, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or by administering a dantrolene prodrug or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

As used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

When a range of values is expressed, an exemplary embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. All ranges are inclusive and combinable. Further, reference to values stated in ranges includes each and every value within that range. When values are expressed as approximations, by use of the preposition “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term “about” as used herein when referring to a measurable value such as an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, is meant to encompass reasonable variations of the value, such as, for example, ±10% from the specified value. For example, the phrase “about 50%” can include ±10% of 50, or from 45% to 55%, inclusive of 50%.

As used herein, whether by itself or in conjunction with another term or terms, it should be understood that the phrases “method of treating” and “method of treatment” may be used interchangeably with the phrase “for use in the treatment of” a particular disease.

As used herein, whether by itself or in conjunction with another term or terms, “pharmaceutically acceptable” indicates that the designated entity such as, for example, a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, is generally chemically and/or physically compatible with other ingredients in a composition, and/or is generally physiologically compatible with the recipient thereof.

As used herein, whether by themselves or in conjunction with another term or terms, “subject(s),” “individual(s),” and “patient(s)”, refer to mammals, including humans. The term human(s) refers to and includes, a human child, adolescent, or adult.

As used herein, whether by themselves or in conjunction with another term or terms, “treats,” “treating,” “treated,” and “treatment,” refer to and include ameliorative, palliative, and/or curative uses and results, or any combination thereof. In other embodiments, the methods described herein can be used prophylactically. It should be understood that “prophylaxis” or a prophylactic use or result do not refer to nor require absolute or total prevention (i.e., a 100% preventative or protective use or result). As used herein, prophylaxis or a prophylactic use or result refers to uses and results in which administration of a compound or composition diminishes or reduces the severity of a particular condition, symptom, disorder, or disease described herein; diminishes or reduces the likelihood of experiencing a particular condition, symptom, disorder, or disease described herein; or delays the onset or relapse (reoccurrence) of a particular condition, symptom, disorder, or disease described herein; or any combination of the foregoing.

As used herein, whether used alone or in conjunction with another term or terms, “therapeutic” and “therapeutically effective amount” refer to an amount of a compound or composition that (a) treats a particular condition, symptom, disorder, or disease described herein; (b) attenuates, ameliorates, or eliminates one or more symptoms of a particular condition, disorder, or disease described herein; (c) delays the onset or relapse (reoccurrence) of a particular condition, symptom, disorder, or disease described herein. It should be understood that the terms “therapeutic” and “therapeutically effective” encompass any one of the aforementioned effects (a)-(c), either alone or in combination with any of the others (a)-(c).

As used herein, a “host cell” is a cell in which a coronavirus can replicate.

As used herein, “normalization of fever” is reduction of a subject's temperature to <36.6° C. armpit, <37.2° C. oral, or <37.8° C. rectal, sustained for at least 24 hours.

As used herein, “normalization of oxygen saturation” is an increase in a subject's peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2)>94%, sustained for at least 24 hours.

As used herein, “inhibiting replication of coronavirus” refers to decreasing viral load of a coronavirus. Methods for determining coronavirus replication inhibition can be determined by those skilled in the art.

Dantrolene is approved for treating malignant hyperthermia and preventing malignant hyperthermia in high-risk patients. Malignant hyperthermia is a condition that predisposes susceptible individuals to a life-threatening adverse reaction upon exposure to potent volatile anesthetics (halothane, isoflurane, sevoflurane, desflurane, etc.) and the skeletal muscle relaxant succinylcholine. The anesthetic drugs trigger an uncontrolled Ca2+release from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) through the ryanodine receptors (RyR) causing a rapid and sustained rise in myoplasmic Ca2+. Administration of dantrolene reestablishes cellular calcium homeostasis by inhibiting the release channels in the ER, resulting in lower levels of intracellular Ca2+.

RYANODEX (dantrolene sodium, 250 mg/vial) is approved for treating malignant hyperthermia and for preventing malignant hyperthermia in high-risk patients. RYANODEX forms an aqueous nanosuspension for IV injection containing dantrolene 50 mg/mL upon reconstitution with 5 mL of USP sterile water for injection (WFI) (without a bacteriostatic agent). Dissolution of RYANODEX suspension in human plasma is extremely rapid, achieving complete dissolution within 1 minute.

Dantrolene is a surprisingly effective treatment for a coronavirus infection. Dantrolene can decrease the virus' ability to replicate, mature, create virions, release from cells, and/or infect other cells.

Methods of the disclosure can also be accomplished using dantrolene prodrugs, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Exemplary dantrolene prodrugs are described in WO2019/079721, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

Preferred dantrolene prodrugs include, for example, compounds of formula I

Other dantrolene prodrugs include compounds of formula II

wherein R3is H, —C(O)—Z—N(R4)(R5), —C(O)Z—C(O)—OH, or —C(O)—NH—Y—CH2—OC(O)—Z—C(O)—OH; Z is C1-6alk; Y is arylene; C1-6alkyl; R5is H or C1-6alkyl; or R4and R5, together with the nitrogen to which they are attached, form a heterocycloalkyl; as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

One aspect of the invention is directed to methods of treating a coronavirus infection in a subject. The subject may be clinically diagnosed with a coronavirus infection. Criteria for diagnosing a subject with a coronavirus infection are known and include laboratory confirmation of a coronavirus infection as determined using PCR, in combination with presentation of one or more coronavirus infection symptoms. Other assays for determining a coronavirus infection can also be used.

In some aspects, the subject may be suspected of having a coronavirus infection, based on, for example, having experienced dose contact with another person who has been clinically diagnosed with a coronavirus infection. Other subjects may be suspected of having a coronavirus infection based on the subject's symptom presentation.

In some aspects, the subject is treated for a coronavirus infection by administering to the subject dantrolene. In other aspects, the subject is treated for a coronavirus infection by administering to the subject a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of dantrolene, for example, dantrolene sodium. In some aspects, the subject is treated for a coronavirus infection by administering to the subject a dantrolene prodrug, for example, Compound 2. In some aspects, the subject is treated for a coronavirus infection by administering to the subject a salt of a dantrolene prodrug, for example, Compound 2a. Administration is preferably of a therapeutically effective amount of the dantrolene, pharmaceutically acceptable salt of dantrolene, dantrolene prodrug, or salt of a dantrolene prodrug. Therapeutically effective amounts include, for example, about 1 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg, administering daily, for one or more days. Particularly preferred amounts include about 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, or about 10 mg/kg, administered daily, in one or more doses, for one or more days.

In some aspects, the administration results in at least a 1-point decrease in the subject's WHO Ordinal Scale score, as compared to the subject's WHO Ordinal Scale score at baseline. Methods of assessing WHO Ordinal Scale score are known in the art. In some aspects, the administration results in a 2-point decrease in the subject's WHO Ordinal Scale score, as compared to the subject's WHO Ordinal Scale score at baseline. In some aspects, the administration results in a 3-point decrease in the subject's WHO Ordinal Scale score, as compared to the subject's WHO Ordinal Scale score at baseline. In some aspects, the administration results in a 4-point decrease in the subject's WHO Ordinal Scale score, as compared to the subject's WHO Ordinal Scale score at baseline. In some aspects, the administration results in a 5-point decrease in the subject's WHO Ordinal Scale score, as compared to the subject's WHO Ordinal Scale score at baseline.

In some aspects, the administration results in an improvement, for example, an increase in the subject's Sequential Organ Failure Assessment daily score, as compared to baseline. Methods of assessing a subject's Sequential Organ Failure Assessment daily score are known in the art.

In some aspects, the administration results in a reduction of time to normalization of fever in the subject, as compared to the amount of time to normalization of fever in a control subject, for example, as compared to a subject who has only received standard of care treatment. In some aspects, the administration results in a reduction of fever in the subject treated for a coronavirus infection. In other aspects, the administration results in a clinically significant reduction of fever in the subject. In some aspects, the administration results in a normalization of fever in the subject.

In some aspects, the administration results in a reduction of time to normalization of oxygen saturation in the subject, as compared to the amount of time to normalization of oxygen saturation in a control subject, for example, as compared to a subject who has only received standard of care treatment. In some aspects, the administration results in an increase of oxygen saturation in the subject. In other aspects, the administration results in a clinically significant increase in oxygen saturation in the subject. In other aspects, the administration results in normalization of oxygen saturation in the subject

In yet other aspects, the administration results in improvement in one or more symptoms of a coronavirus infection in the subject. In other aspects, the administration results in a clinically significant improvement in one or more symptoms of a coronavirus infection in the subject.

Other aspects of the disclosure are directed to methods of inhibiting replication of a coronavirus in a subject. The subject may be clinically diagnosed with a coronavirus infection. Criteria for diagnosing a subject with a coronavirus infection are known and include laboratory confirmation as determined using PCR. Other assays for determining coronavirus infections can also be used.

In some aspects, the subject may be suspected of having a coronavirus infection, based on, for example, having experienced dose contact with another person who has been clinically diagnosed with a coronavirus infection.

In some aspects, inhibition of coronavirus replication in a subject is accomplished by administering to the subject dantrolene. In other aspects, inhibition of coronavirus replication in a subject is accomplished by administering to the subject a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of dantrolene, for example, dantrolene sodium. In some aspects, inhibition of coronavirus replication in a subject is accomplished by administering to the subject a dantrolene prodrug, for example, Compound 2. In some aspects, inhibition of coronavirus replication in a subject is accomplished by administering to the subject a salt of a dantrolene prodrug, for example, Compound 2a. Administration is preferably of a therapeutically effective amount of the dantrolene, pharmaceutically acceptable salt of dantrolene, dantrolene prodrug, or salt of a dantrolene prodrug. Therapeutically effective amounts include, for example, about 1 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg, administering daily, for one or more days. Particularly preferred amounts include about 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, or about 10 mg/kg, administered daily, in one or more doses, for one or more days.

Some aspects of the disclosure are directed to methods for inhibiting replication of coronavirus in a host cell. Inhibition of viral replication can be determined by those skilled in the art. In these methods, replication is inhibited by administering dantrolene to the host cell. In other aspects, replication is inhibited by administering a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of dantrolene to the host cell, for example, dantrolene sodium. In some aspects, replication is inhibited by administering to the host cell a dantrolene prodrug, for example, Compound 2. In some aspects, replication is inhibited by administering to the host cell a salt of a dantrolene prodrug, for example, Compound 2a.

Some aspects of the disclosure are directed to methods for inhibiting entry of coronavirus into a host cell. Inhibition of viral entry into a host cell can be determined by those skilled in the art. In these methods, viral entry is inhibited by administering dantrolene to the host cell. In other aspects, viral entry is inhibited by administering a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of dantrolene to the host cell, for example, dantrolene sodium. In some aspects, viral entry is inhibited by administering to the host cell a dantrolene prodrug, for example, Compound 2. In some aspects, viral entry is inhibited by administering to the host cell a salt of a dantrolene prodrug, for example, Compound 2a.

Some aspects of the disclosure are directed to methods for inhibiting coronavirus virion maturation in a host cell. Inhibition of virion maturation in a host cell can be determined by those skilled in the art. In these methods, virion maturation is inhibited by administering dantrolene to the host cell. In other aspects, virion maturation is inhibited by administering a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of dantrolene to the host cell, for example, dantrolene sodium. In some aspects, virion maturation is inhibited by administering to the host cell a dantrolene prodrug, for example, Compound 2. In some aspects, virion maturation is inhibited by administering to the host cell a salt of a dantrolene prodrug, for example, Compound 2a.

Some aspects of the disclosure are directed to methods for release of coronavirus from a host cell. Inhibition of release from a host cell can be determined by those skilled in the art. In these methods, viral release is inhibited by administering dantrolene to the host cell. In other aspects, viral release is inhibited by administering a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of dantrolene to the host cell, for example, dantrolene sodium. In some aspects, viral release is inhibited by administering to the host cell a dantrolene prodrug, for example, Compound 2. In some aspects, viral release is inhibited by administering to the host cell a salt of a dantrolene prodrug, for example, Compound 2a.

Some methods of the disclosure are directed to methods for reducing the infectivity of a coronavirus. Reduction of infectivity can be determined by those skilled in the art. In these methods, infectivity is reduced by administering dantrolene to the host cell. In other aspects, infectivity is reduced by administering a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of dantrolene to the host cell, for example, dantrolene sodium. In some aspects, infectivity is reduced by administering to the host cell a dantrolene prodrug, for example, Compound 2. In some aspects, infectivity is reduced by administering to the host cell a salt of a dantrolene prodrug, for example, Compound 2a.

The following examples are provided to illustrate some of the concepts described within this disclosure. While each example is considered to provide specific individual embodiments of disclosure, none of the Examples should be considered to limit the more general embodiments described herein. In the following examples, efforts have been made to ensure accuracy with respect to numbers used (e.g. amounts, temperature, etc.) but some experimental error and deviation should be accounted for.

EXAMPLES

Methodology

The study is a single-center, open-label, two-arm parallel study of dantrolene for the adjuvant treatment of COVID-19 administered intravenously (IV). In one treatment arm, dantrolene will be administered in conjunction with current standard of care following medical practice and procedures established for the in-hospital treatment of patients with COVID-19. In the second treatment arm, subjects will receive current standard of care following medical practice and procedures established for the in-hospital treatment of patients with COVID-19.

Following initial triage and primary assessment of a subject, the subject's baseline status will be documented. Once eligibility criteria and baseline status are obtained, administration of dantrolene will be initiated.

Group A: dantrolene, in addition to standard of care

Group B: standard of care only

Treatment Administration—Group A

Eligible COVID-19 subjects randomized to Group A will receive dantrolene (as RYANODEX, dantrolene sodium) as follows:A 1 mg/kg dose will be administered as IV push approximately every 12 hours for 2 consecutive days (Study Day 1 and Day 2).On Day 3 of the Study, subjects showing adequate tolerability to 1 mg/kg dose will start receiving 2 mg/kg dose as IV push approximately every 12 hours for the remainder of the study (Study Day 3 to Day 14, inclusive). Adequate tolerability is defined as lack of clinically significant adverse reactions that may have a negative impact on the subject's overall status that are not secondary to COVID-19, any other underlying condition or concomitant medication.If a patient does not show adequate tolerability to the 2 mg/dose, the subject will be discontinued from the study.Each subject participating in the study will receive up to 4 (four) 1 mg/kg doses (Days 1-2) and up to 24 (twenty four) doses of 2 mg/kg (Days 3-14), each administered as an IV push (up to a minute).

Subjects receiving dantrolene will continue to receive all other treatments as prescribed, with the exception of treatments included in the Exclusion Criteria. Assessment of vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature) should be clearly recorded prior to and within 10 minutes after administration of each dose.

Group B

Patients randomized to Group B will receive standard of care, following acceptable medical practice.

Study Phases

The study will include 2 phases: Screening and Treatment.

During the Screening Phase, eligibility and baseline assessment will be performed. Informed Consent will be obtained prior to initiation of study procedures.

After determination of eligibility and obtaining Informed Consent, eligible patients will be randomized to Group A or Group B and the Treatment Phase will be initiated and will proceed with administration of Study Drug as indicated above to Group A Non-eligible subjects will receive medical assistance as deemed necessary by the attending physician following accepted medical practices.

Stopping the Study Drug

If the subject demonstrates clinically significant signs/symptoms of dantrolene toxicity, the study drug should be stopped. Dantrolene toxicity may include muscular weakness and alterations in the state of consciousness (e.g., lethargy, sedation), vomiting, diarrhea, and crystalluria, which are not attributable to other cause, such as progression of COVID-19, other underlying conditions (e.g., sepsis, hypoxia, uncontrolled diabetes) and/or concomitant medications (e.g., sedatives, antibiotics, antipyretics). The study drug can be stopped at any time.

Diagnosis and Main Criteria for Inclusion

Male or non-pregnant female subjects will be entered into the study if they are diagnosed with COVID-19 and meet all the following criteria at Screening:At least 18 years of age.Willing and able to provide written informed consent prior to performing study procedures, or an authorized representative is willing and able to provide consent on behalf of the patient if he/she is unable to do so.COVID-19 severity score 3-5 according to the WHO Ordinal Scale of SeverityCOVID-19 symptoms onset within 7 days prior to Screening.Hospitalized patient.Has laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection as determined by PCR, or other commercial or public health assay within 48 hours prior to Screening.Febrile defined as temperature ≥36.6° C. armpit, ≥37.2° C. oral, or ≥37.8° C. rectal documented at least within 48 hours of consent.

Male or non-pregnant female subjects will be excluded from entering this study if they meet any of the following criteria at Screening:Participation in any other clinical trial of an experimental treatment for COVID-19.Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST)>5× upper limit of normal (ULN).Pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding.Presence of comorbidities that imply a poor prognosis (according to clinical judgment).Allergy to dantrolene.

Dosage and Mode of Administration

Ryanodex: (dantrolene sodium) for injectable suspension; 250 mg/vial to be reconstituted with 5 mL of sterile water for injection (without a bacteriostatic agent) to yield a 50 mg/mL suspension; to be administered as a rapid IV push of 1 mg/kg or 2 mg/kg, as described in the protocol.

Efficacy will be evaluated on criteria including:World Health Organization (WHO) Ordinal Scale of Severity score.Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score.Length of time to normalization of fever (fever normalization as defined by temperature <36.6° C. armpit. <37.2° C. oral, or <37.8° C. rectal sustained for minimum of 24 hours).Length of time to normalization of oxygen saturation (oxygen normalization as defined by peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2)>94% sustained for at least 24 hours).Change in clinical status at Day 14 using the WHO Ordinal Scale o (1-8 score), compared to Baseline.1: Ambulatory. No limitations of activities2: Ambulatory. Limitation of activities3: Hospitalized, Mild Disease. No oxygen therapy4: Hospitalized, Mild Disease. Oxygen by mask or nasal prongs5: Hospitalized, Severe Disease. Non-invasive ventilation or high-flow oxygen6: Hospitalized, Severe Disease. Intubation and mechanical ventilation7: Hospitalized, Severe Disease. Ventilation+additional organ support (pressors, renal replacement therapy, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation)8: DeathChange in clinical status at Day 5 and Day 10 using the WHO Ordinal Scale (1-8 score), compared to Baseline.Time to a 1-point decrease in the WHO Ordinal Scale score.Change in Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) daily score (Days 1-14) compared to Baseline.Length of time to normalization of fever (fever normalization as defined by temperature <36.6° C. armpit, <37.2° C. oral, or <37.8° C. rectal sustained for minimum of 24 hours).Length of time to normalization of oxygen saturation (oxygen normalization as defined by peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2)>94% sustained for at least 24 hours).

Safety will be evaluated and will include measurement and observation of (if any):Vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, body temperature)Clinical laboratory tests (hematology and blood chemistry)ECG monitoringOxygen saturationPhysical exam

Testing against a SARS-CoV-2 virus, represents the etiologic agent of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Testing was via a standard virus neutralization (VN) assay, which assessed ability to neutralize SARS-CoV-2.

Virus Neutralization (VN) Assay. The VN assay was performed using Vero E6 cells which are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The cells were seeded into 96-well plates one (1) to three (3) days prior to VN assay, and were incubated at 37° C. and 5% CO2. On the day of assay, the monolayer of Vero E6 cells was at least 70% to 80% confluent in order to run the VN. The preparation of the compound for VN was performed the day of assay. The compound was diluted with serum-free media to the desired starting concentration (1:10) and then serially diluted 2-fold in serum-free media.

Standardization of the virus required that a TCID50 had previously been run to determine the concentration of infectious virus particle per mL of virus stock. Using the TCID50 titer, calculations were performed to define how much serum-free media to add to the virus stock to yield 1e2 TCID50/mL. Once the standardized virus was made, an equal volume of it was added to the deep 96-well plate containing the diluted compound samples. Incubation was maintained for at least one hour. The virus/compound mixture was then transferred from the deep 96-well racks into the appropriate Vero-seeded 96-well plates. After this addition, the plates were returned to the 37° C. and 5% CO2incubator for three (3) to five (5) days to six (6) days. After the incubation period, the wells were observed under a phase contrast inverted scope and were scored for the presence or absence of SARS-CoV-2 cytopathic effects (CPE) in the cells. The titer was the inverse of the last dilution of dantrolene that inhibits the viral infection (cells that do not display CPE), i.e., the lowest effective titer was the last dilution of dantrolene that consistently inhibited viral infection (cells do not display CPE) across all time points.

There were several controls present on each plate for the VN assay. First, there was a compound control that lacked virus to ensure that the compound itself did not cause CPE; this control was performed using the lowest dilution of compound in the series (usually 1:10) and additional serial dilutions at the test concentrations. There were also negative control wells (without compound or virus) to verify that the serum-free media did not cause CPE. Also, a back-titer of the virus was performed which acted as a positive CPE control for the virus, and it served to verify that the titer of the standardized virus was within acceptable range. Results from the samples on that plate were considered valid if all of these controls met their acceptance criteria.

Without wishing to be bound to any particular theory, it is believed that dantrolene modulates intracellular Ca2+, including by mechanisms not previously reported, thereby affecting the ability of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to, for example, infect cells, replicate, mature, create virions, or release from cells.

Testing against a SARS-CoV-2 virus, represents the etiologic agent of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Testing was via a standard virus neutralization (VN) assay, which assessed ability to neutralize SARS-CoV-2.

Virus Neutralization (VN) Assay. The VN assay was performed using Vero E6 cells, an African green monkey cell line, which are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Vero E6 cells were cultured in growth media (Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium supplemented with 5% FBS (fetal bovine serum), Glutamax, and PSN (penicillin, streptomycin, and neomycin)). The cells were seeded into deep 96-well plates one day prior to the VN assay and incubated at 37° C. and 5% CO2to allow the cells to grow to 70% confluency. Each of the samples and controls were performed in triplicate.

The preparation of RYANODEX for VN was performed the day of assay. RYANODEX was reconstituted with 5 mL of sterile water for injection, as described in the RYANODEX Prescribing Information, to prepare an initial stock having a dantrolene concentration of 50 mg/mL. The stock was further diluted to a dantrolene concentration of 100 μM using cell growth media and then serially diluted to 50, 40, 30, 20, 10 and 5 μM. The dilutions were preincubated on cells for 60 minutes prior to addition of virus.

Standardization of the virus required that a Medium Tissue Culture Infectious Dose (TCID50) have been previously performed to determine the concentration of infectious virus particle per mL of virus stock, using procedures known in the art. See, e.g., Reed & Muench, (1938) A simple method of estimating fifty percent endpoints, The American Journal of Hygiene. 27: 493-497; World Health Organization. Laboratory Procedures, Serological detection of avian influenza A(H7N9) infections by microneutralization assay, May 23, 2013 Using the TCID50 titer, calculations were performed to define how much serum-free media to add to the virus stock to yield 1e2 TCID50/mL. Once the standardized virus was made, an equal volume of it was added to the deep 96-well plate containing the diluted compound samples. Virus was added to the appropriate wells and incubated with cells and compound for 2 hours. The cells were then washed 3 times with fresh media and 100 μL/well of fresh media was added to all wells and further incubated for 6 days. During the incubation period, the wells were observed under a phase contrast inverted scope and were scored for the presence or absence of SARS-CoV-2 cytopathic effects (CPE) in the cells. The titer was the inverse of the last dilution of dantrolene that inhibits the viral infection (cells that do not display CPE), i.e., the lowest effective titer was the last dilution of dantrolene that consistently inhibited viral infection (cells do not display CPE) across all time points.

There were several controls present on each plate for the VN assay. First, there was a dantrolene control that included RYANODEX alone at the test concentrations without virus to ensure that dantrolene itself at the tested concentrations does not cause CPE. There were also negative control wells (without RYANODEX or virus) to verify that the serum-free media did not cause CPE. Also, a back-titer of the virus that included 100 TCID50/well of virus was performed which acted as a positive CPE control for the virus, and it served to verify that the titer of the standardized virus was within acceptable range. Results from the samples on that plate were considered valid if all of these controls met their acceptance criteria.

The analysis of the neutralization assay revealed that the highest dantrolene concentrations (50 and 100 μM dilution) showed cytopathic effects on Days 2 and 4, in both infected cells and uninfected controls, as expected. The 50 μM dilution had rebound cell growth on Day 6 post-infection, but it was decreased compared to the lower dilutions. The uninfected controls displayed the same cytotoxicity profile as the infected replicates at these higher dantrolene concentrations.

On Day 2 post-infection no CPE was observed in any wells containing RYANODEX. On Day 4 and Day 6 post-infection, no CPE was observed in cells incubated with 20-40 μM of dantrolene. CPE was observed in 2 of 3 replicates at Days 4 and 6 post-infection with 10 μM of dantrolene, but no CPE was observed at Day 2. At the 5 μM concentration of dantrolene, CPE was observed in 1 of 3 replicates at Days 4 and 6 post infection, but no CPE was observed at Day 2 at this dantrolene concentration. See Table.

TABLEDilutionDay 2 ReadDay 4 ReadDay 6 Read100 μM3/3 wells had >90% CPE3/3 wells had >90%3/3 wells had >90%CPECPE50 μM3/3 wells had sparce3/3 wells had sparce3/3 wells had sparceconfluencyconfluencyconfluency but greaterthan Day 440 μM3/3 wells had No CPE3/3 wells had No CPE3/3 wells had No CPE30 μM3/3 wells had No CPE3/3 wells had No CPE3/3 wells had No CPE20 μM3/3 wells had No CPE3/3 wells had No CPE3/3 wells had No CPE10 μM3/3 wells had No CPE2/3 wells had >90%2/3 wells had >90%CPECPE5 μM3/3 wells had No CPE1/3 wells had >90%1/3 wells had >90%CPECPECPE = cytopathic effects

All uninfected controls remained healthy and did not display any CPE throughout the 6-day post-infection incubation period. It was concluded that the minimum inhibitory concentration of dantrolene is 20 μM, though lower concentrations of 10 and 5 μM also showed anti-viral activity. No cytopathic effects (indicating no virus growth) were observed with the 20 and 40 μM dantrolene concentrations at all timepoints. Cytotoxic effects were only observed at the 2 highest dantrolene concentrations (100 and 50 μM), both with or without virus. In contrast, at the lower dilutions (<50 μM dantrolene) uninfected Vero E6 cells showed good cell viability. The control cells infected with the virus but without RYANODEX all had CPE, evidencing viral growth.

In summary, the VN assay demonstrated the in vitro antiviral activity and lack of cytotoxicity of RYANODEX at dantrolene concentrations compatible with human plasma levels observed after administration of the recommended doses of RYANODEX.

Without wishing to be bound to any particular theory, it is believed that dantrolene modulates intracellular Ca2+, including by mechanisms not previously reported, thereby affecting the ability of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to, for example, infect cells, replicate, mature, create virions, or release from cells.

Methodology

The study is a single-center, open-label, two-arm study of dantrolene for the adjuvant treatment of coronavirus infection administered intravenously (IV). In one treatment arm, dantrolene will be administered in conjunction with current standard of care following medical practice and procedures established for the treatment of patients with a coronavirus infection. In the second treatment arm, subjects will receive current standard of care following medical practice and procedures established for the treatment of patients with a coronavirus infection.

Following initial triage and primary assessment of a subject, the subject's baseline status will be documented. Once eligibility criteria and baseline status are obtained, administration of dantrolene will be initiated.

Group A: dantrolene, in addition to standard of care

Group B: standard of care only

Treatment Administration—Group A

Eligible coronavirus infection subjects randomized to Group A will receive dantrolene (as RYANODEX, dantrolene sodium) as follows:A 1 mg/kg dose will be administered as IV push approximately every 12 hours for 2 consecutive days (Study Day 1 and Day 2).On Day 3 of the Study, subjects showing adequate tolerability to 1 mg/kg dose will start receiving 2 mg/kg as IV push approximately every 12 hours for the remainder of the study (Study Day 3 to Day 14, inclusive). Adequate tolerability is defined as lack of clinically significant adverse reactions that may have a negative impact on the subject's overall status that are not secondary to a coronavirus infection, any other underlying condition or concomitant medication.If a patient does not show adequate tolerability to the 2 mg/dose, the subject will be discontinued from the study.Each subject participating in the study will receive) up to four (4) 1 mg/kg doses (Days 1-2) and up to 24 (twenty four) doses of 2 mg/kg (Days 3-14), each administered as an IV push (up to a minute).

Subjects receiving dantrolene will continue to receive all other treatments as prescribed, with the exception of treatments included in the Exclusion Criteria. Assessment of vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature) should be clearly recorded prior to and within 10 minutes after administration of each dose.

Group B

Patients randomized to Group B will receive standard of care, following acceptable medical practice.

Study Phases

The study will include 2 phases: Screening and Treatment.

During the Screening Phase, eligibility and baseline assessment will be performed. Informed Consent will be obtained prior to initiation of study procedures.

After determination of eligibility and obtaining Informed Consent, eligible patients will be randomized to Group A or Group B and the Treatment Phase will be initiated and will proceed with administration of Study Drug as indicated above to Group A Non-eligible subjects will receive medical assistance as deemed necessary by the attending physician following accepted medical practices.

Stopping the Study Drug

If the subject demonstrates clinically significant signs/symptoms of dantrolene toxicity, the study drug should be stopped. Dantrolene toxicity may include muscular weakness and alterations in the state of consciousness (e.g., lethargy, sedation), vomiting, diarrhea, and crystalluria, which are not attributable to other cause, such as progression of coronavirus infection, other underlying conditions (e.g., sepsis, hypoxia, uncontrolled diabetes) and/or concomitant medications (e.g., sedatives, antibiotics, antipyretics). The study drug can be stopped at any time.

Diagnosis and Main Criteria for Inclusion

Male or non-pregnant female subjects will be entered into the study if they are diagnosed with a coronavirus infection and meet all the following criteria at Screening:At least 18 years of age.Willing and able to provide written informed consent prior to performing study procedures, or an authorized representative is willing and able to provide consent on behalf of the patient if he/she is unable to do so.Severity score 3-5 according to the WHO Ordinal Scale of SeverityCoronavirus infection symptoms onset within 7 days prior to Screening.Has laboratory-confirmed coronavirus infection as determined by PCR, or other commercial or public health assay within 48 hours prior to Screening.Febrile defined as temperature ≥36.6° C. armpit, ≥37.2° C. oral, or ≥37.8° C. rectal documented at least within 48 hours of consent.

Male or non-pregnant female subjects will be excluded from entering this study if they meet any of the following criteria at Screening:Participation in any other clinical trial of an experimental treatment for coronavirus infection.Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST)>5× upper limit of normal (ULN).Pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding.Presence of comorbidities that imply a poor prognosis (according to clinical judgment).Allergy to dantrolene.

Dosage and Mode of Administration

Ryanodex: (dantrolene sodium) for injectable suspension; 250 mg/vial to be reconstituted with 5 mL of sterile water for injection (without a bacteriostatic agent) to yield a 50 mg/mL suspension; to be administered as a rapid IV push of 1 mg/kg or 2 mg/kg, as described in the protocol.

Efficacy will be evaluated on criteria including:World Health Organization (WHO) Ordinal Scale of Severity score.Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score.Length of time to normalization of fever (fever normalization as defined by temperature <36.6° C. armpit, <37.2° C. oral, or <37.8° C. rectal sustained for minimum of 24 hours).Length of time to normalization of oxygen saturation (oxygen normalization as defined by peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2)>94% sustained for at least 24 hours).Change in clinical status at Day 14 using the WHO Ordinal Scale (1-8 score), compared to Baseline.1: Ambulatory. No limitations of activities2: Ambulatory. Limitation of activities3: Hospitalized, Mild Disease. No oxygen therapy4: Hospitalized, Mild Disease. Oxygen by mask or nasal prongs5: Hospitalized, Severe Disease. Non-invasive ventilation or high-flow oxygen6: Hospitalized, Severe Disease. Intubation and mechanical ventilation7: Hospitalized, Severe Disease. Ventilation+additional organ support (pressors, renal replacement therapy, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation)8: DeathChange in clinical status at Day 5 and Day 10 using the WHO Ordinal Scale (1-8 score), compared to Baseline.Time to a 1-point decrease in the WHO Ordinal Scale score.Change in Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) daily score (Days 1-14) compared to Baseline.Length of time to normalization of fever ((fever normalization as defined by temperature <36.6° C. armpit, <37.2° C. oral, or <37.8° C. rectal sustained for minimum of 24 hours).Length of time to normalization of oxygen saturation (oxygen normalization as defined by peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2)>94% sustained for at least 24 hours).

Safety will be evaluated and will include measurement and observation of (if any):Vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, body temperature)Clinical laboratory tests (hematology and blood chemistry)ECG monitoringOxygen saturationPhysical exam

Testing is via a standard virus neutralization (VN) assay, which assesses ability to neutralize coronavirus.

Virus Neutralization (VN) Assay. The VN assay is performed using cells which are susceptible to coronavirus infection. The cells are seeded into 96-well plates one (1) to three (3) days prior to VN assay, and are incubated at 37° C. and 5% CO2. On the day of assay, the monolayer of cells is at least 70% to 80% confluent in order to run the VN. The preparation of the compound for VN is performed the day of assay. The compound is diluted with serum-free media to the desired starting concentration (1:10) and then serially diluted 2-fold in serum-free media.

Standardization of the virus requires that a TCID50 has previously been run to determine the concentration of infectious virus particle per mL of virus stock. Using the TCID50 titer, calculations are performed to define how much serum-free media to add to the virus stock to yield 1e2 TCID50/mL. Once the standardized virus is made, an equal volume of it is added to the deep 96-well plate containing the diluted compound samples. Incubation is maintained for at least one hour. The virus/compound mixture is then transferred from the deep 96-well racks into the appropriate cell-seeded 96-well plates. After this addition, the plates are returned to the 37° C. and 5% CO2incubator for three (3) to five (5) days to six (6) days. After the incubation period, the wells are observed under a phase contrast inverted scope and are scored for the presence or absence of coronavirus cytopathic effects (CPE) in the cells. The titer is the inverse of the last dilution of dantrolene that inhibits the viral infection (cells that do not display CPE), i.e., the lowest effective titer was the last dilution of dantrolene that consistently inhibited viral infection (cells do not display CPE) across all time points.

There are several controls present on each plate for the VN assay. First, there is a compound control that lacks virus to ensure that the compound itself does not cause CPE; this control is performed using the lowest dilution of compound in the series (usually 1:10) and additional serial dilutions at the test concentrations. There are also negative control wells (without compound or virus) to verify that the serum-free media does not cause CPE. Also, a back-titer of the virus is performed which acts as a positive CPE control for the virus, and it serves to verify that the titer of the standardized virus is within acceptable range. Results from the samples on that plate are considered valid if all of these controls meet their acceptance criteria.

Without wishing to be bound to any particular theory, it is believed that dantrolene modulates intracellular Ca2+, including by mechanisms not previously reported, thereby affecting the ability of coronaviruses to, for example, infect cells, replicate, mature, create virions, or release from cells.

Testing is via a standard virus neutralization (VN) assays known in the art that assess the ability to neutralize coronaviruses. The VN assay is performed using methods known in the art to measure the ability of a virus to infect cells, replicate, mature, create virions, and release active virus from cells.

Typically, VN assays require a compatible host cell that is susceptible to virus infection. Suitable cells lines include, but are not limited to, Vero E6, HeLa, 293T, L929, fibroblasts, CHO, B95-8. MRC-5, HEp-2, SPF CE, MDCK, COS-7, and LLC-MK2 Derivative. In other example, primary cells isolated from an animal can be used in the assay. Cells used for VN assays can be wild-type cells, or they can be cells that have been genetically modified using techniques known in the art. Cells lines are cultured in an appropriate growth media, including, but not limited to Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM), RPMI, Eagle's Minimum Essential Medium (EMEM), Leibovitz's L-15 Medium, and VeroPlus SFM. Such growth media contains supplements required to sustain grown of the cells. Exemplary supplements include, but are not limited to fetal bovine serum, glutamax, penicillin, streptomycin, and neomycin. In other examples, supplements can be added to select for cells with specific genetic modifications.

The cells are seeded into deep %-well plates prior to the VN assay and incubated at 37° C. and 5% CO2to allow the cells to grow to an appropriate confluency. Each of the samples and controls are performed in triplicate.

The preparation of RYANODEX for VN is performed the day of assay. RYANODEX is reconstituted with 5 mL of sterile water for injection, as described in the RYANODEX Prescribing Information, to prepare an initial stock having a dantrolene concentration of 50 mg/mL. The stock is further diluted to a dantrolene concentration of 100 μM using cell growth media and then serially diluted to 50, 40, 30, 20, 10 and 5 μM. The dilutions are preincubated on cells for 60 minutes prior to addition of virus.

Standardization of the virus requires that a Medium Tissue Culture Infectious Dose (TCID50) have been previously performed to determine the concentration of infectious virus particle per mL of virus stock, using procedures known in the art. See, e.g., Reed & Muench, (1938) A simple method of estimating fifty percent endpoints, The American Journal of Hygiene. 27: 493-497; World Health Organization, Laboratory Procedures, Serological detection of avian influenza A (H7N9) infections by microneutralization assay, May 23, 2013. Using the TCID50 titer, calculations are performed to define how much serum-free media to add to the virus stock to yield 1e2 TCID50/mL. Once the standardized virus is made, an equal volume of it is added to the deep %-well plate containing the diluted compound samples. Virus is added to the appropriate wells and incubated with cells and compound for an appropriate amount of time consistent with observations from the TCID50 assay. In some cases, this time period is 2 hours. In other cases, the time period is 30 minutes to 1 hour. In other instances, the time period is 4-8 hours. In yet other instances, the virus may be incubated with the cells for 24-48 hours. And in other instances, cells may continue to be incubated with virus over the duration of the assay. Further, infection may be facilitated by other methods known in the art, such as spin infection.

If the virus is removed from the cells prior to scoring for anti-viral effects, the cells are then washed 3 times with fresh media and 100 μL/well of fresh media is added to all wells and further incubated for an appropriate length of time depending on the VN assay being employed.

At an appropriate time, the cells are assayed for indications of viral infection and replication using methods known in the art. By way of example only, the viral load of cells treated under different conditions may be measured using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or other methods known in the art. By way of another example, changes to cellular morphology, such as plaque formation, may be assayed. As yet another example, wells containing virus are scored for the presence or absence of viral cytopathic effects (VPE) in the cells using methods known in the art, such as light microscopy or Annexin V, FITC, propidium iodide (PI), or haemotoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. By way of yet another example, chicken red blood cell suspensions are incubated with a serially diluted virus and monitoring for formation of a red blood cell lattice in a hemagglutination assay. As another example, the attachment of a suspension of red blood cells to the surface of cell monolayers infected with virus is monitored in a hemadsorption assay.

The titer is the inverse of the last dilution of dantrolene that inhibits the viral infection, i.e., the lowest effective titer is the last dilution of dantrolene that consistently inhibits viral infection across all time points.

There are several controls present on each plate for the VN assay. First, there is a dantrolene control that includes RYANODEX alone at the test concentrations without virus to ensure that dantrolene itself at the tested concentrations does not cause a positive signal using the assay for viral infection. There are also negative control wells (without RYANODEX or virus) to verify that the serum-free media does not cause a positive signal using the assay for viral infection. Also, a back-titer of the virus that includes 100 TCID50/well of virus is performed which acts as a positive VPE or viral infection control, and it serves to verify that the titer of the standardized virus is within acceptable range. Results from the samples on that plate are considered valid if all of these controls meet their acceptance criteria.

Without wishing to be bound to any particular theory, it is believed that dantrolene modulates intracellular Ca2+, including by mechanisms not previously reported, thereby affecting the ability of coronaviruses to, for example, infect cells, replicate, mature, create virions, or release from cells.