New hope for a deadly lung condition that lacks effective drugs

This study is testing if adding an investigational drug called centhaquine to standard hospital care can help patients with moderate to severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), a life-threatening form of lung failure. About 80 hospitalized adults in intensive care will be randomly assigned to receive either centhaquine or a placebo (saline) alongside their standard treatment. The main goal is to see if the drug improves blood oxygen levels and reduces the need for life support, with safety and survival tracked for 60 days.