MediciNova plans to initiate a clinical trial of MN 166 for COVID-19 Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).

MediciNova, Inc., announced that it will initiate a clinical trial of MN 166 (ibudilast) for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) . The study will be conducted by Yale’s Advanced Therapies Group, which is co-directed by Richard Bucala, M.D., Ph.D., Chief, Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology at Yale School of Medicine and Rheumatologist-in-Chief at Yale New Haven Health. Dr. Bucala, is credited with the cloning of MIF (macrophage migration inhibitory factor) and its receptor and led prior efforts targeting MIF in autoimmunity and in cancer.The lead Principal Investigator (PI) for this trial is Dr. Geoffrey Chupp, Professor of Medicine (Pulmonology), Director of the Yale Center for Asthma and Airway Disease and Director of the Pulmonary Function Laboratory at Yale-New Haven Hospital. The co-investigators include Dr. Maor Sauler, a physician scientist in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine who specializes in adult critical care including acute lung injury and sepsis, and Dr. Insoo Kang, Director, Allergy & Immunology, who are also members of the COVID-19 Advanced Therapeutic Group.