Can existing drugs stop COVID-19 from getting worse?

NCT ID NCT04581954

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Imperial College London Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested two drugs, ruxolitinib and fostamatinib, in hospitalized adults with mild to moderate COVID-19 pneumonia. The goal was to see if either drug could prevent the disease from becoming severe. 185 patients were randomly assigned to receive one of the drugs or standard care for 14 days, and their progress was tracked for 28 days.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: ruxolitinib and fostamatinib
What this could lead to: If successful, these drugs could offer a new treatment option to prevent severe COVID-19 pneumonia in hospitalized patients.
What could go wrong: This was a relatively small, early-phase trial (Phase 1/2) with 185 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The drugs also have known side effects like infection risk.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Coronavinae infectious disease COVID-19 pneumonia

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

CORONAVIRUS COVID19 PNEUMONIA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

London, W12 0HS, United Kingdom
London North West University Healthcare

London, HA1 3UJ, United Kingdom
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Reading, RG1 5AN, United Kingdom
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - Royal Hallamshire Hospital

Sheffield, S10 2JF, United Kingdom
The Leeds Teaching Hospital - St James University Hospitals NHS Trust

Leeds, LS9 7TF, United Kingdom

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