LB1533. Impact of Treatment of Hospitalised COVID-19 Patients With Inhaled Interferon Beta-1a (SNG001) on Long COVID Symptoms: Results From the SPRINTER trial
Authors: Monk Phillip D , Evans Rachael A , Tear Victoria J , Brookes Jody L , Batten Toby , Mankowski Marcin , Djukanovic Ratko , Holgate Stephen T , Brightling Chris , Wilkinson Tom 
Published: December 2022

Background

People with post-COVID conditions can have a wide range of symptoms lasting months and it can affect as many as one in five infected people. Interferon beta (IFN-β) is key in host defence against viruses but can be suppressed by virus or host factors locally at the site of infection. Inhalation of SNG001 (IFN-β-1a nebuliser solution) aims to restore lung IFN-β levels. SPRINTER (NCT04732949) was a RCT of inhaled interferon beta in hospitalised COVID-19. There was no effect of SNG001 on the primary endpoints of time to discharge or recovery most likely due to improvements in the standard of care. However, there was an encouraging signal for the key secondary endpoint of prevention of progression to severe disease or death (ITT 26% relative risk reduction [RRR]; Odds Ratio [95% CI]: 0.71 [0.44, 1.15]; Per Protocol 36% RRR; OR 0.63 [0.35, 1.13]). Post hoc analyses showed enhanced effects favouring SNG001 in subgroups at higher risk of progression. We report on the impact of SNG001 on long COVID symptoms in SPRINTER.

Methods

Patients requiring low-flow oxygen were randomized to receive SNG001 (314) or placebo (309) once daily for 14 days, plus standard-of-care. Long COVID symptoms were assessed as a secondary endpoint at follow-up visits via telephone/video call on Day 60 and Day 90. The following patient reported outcome (PRO) measures were also assessed: General Anxiety Disorder 7 Questionnaire (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT) - Fatigue Scale and Brief Pain Inventory (Short Form).

Results

When compared to placebo, SNG001 reduced the relative risk of common symptoms of long COVID (fatigue/malaise [RRR=35.4%]; dyspnoea [RRR=28.3%]; loss of smell and/or taste [RRR=61.4%]). Analysis of the PROs is ongoing.

Assessment of COVID symptoms at Day 60 and 90 follow up visits

Effect of SNG001 treatment on long COVID symptoms

Conclusion

Long COVID can leave patients with lingering cognitive, respiratory, and functional symptoms months after a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Given the shift from pandemic to endemic status for COVID-19 and the need for new treatments then these findings, suggesting SNG001 may be impacting common long COVID symptoms, provide additional support for the further investigation of SNG001.

Disclosures

Phillip D. Monk, PhD, Synairgen Plc (Employed by Synairgen Research Ltd which is a subsidiary of Synairgen Plc, Stocks/Bonds): Board Member|Synairgen Plc (Employed by Synairgen Research Ltd which is a subsidiary of Synairgen Plc, Stocks/Bonds): Stocks/Bonds Victoria J. Tear, PhD, Synairgen Plc (Employed by Synairgen Research Ltd which is a subsidiary of Synairgen Plc, Stocks/Bonds): Stocks/Bonds Jody L. Brookes, BSc, Synairgen Plc (Employed by Synairgen Research Ltd which is a subsidiary of Synairgen Plc, Stocks/Bonds): Stocks/Bonds Marcin Mankowski, MD, MFPM (Dis), CytoDyn: Advisor/Consultant|Entasis: Advisor/Consultant|ImmuPharma: Advisor/Consultant|Menarini: Advisor/Consultant|Pfizer: Advisor/Consultant|Synairgen: Advisor/Consultant|Venatorx: Advisor/Consultant Ratko Djukanovic, MD, Synairgen: Advisor/Consultant|Synairgen: Honoraria|Synairgen: Stocks/Bonds Stephen T. Holgate, FMedSci, MD, Synairgen: Board Member|Synairgen: Non executive board director, patent on inhaled interferon beta|Synairgen: Stocks/Bonds chris brightling, FMedSci, Synairgen: Advisor/Consultant|Synairgen: Grant/Research Support Tom Wilkinson, PhD, PhD, AZ: Grant/Research Support|AZ: Honoraria|My mhealth: Board Member|My mhealth: Ownership Interest|My mhealth: Stocks/Bonds|Synairgen: Grant/Research Support|Synairgen: Honoraria.