Safety and Efficacy of Tofacitinib in Hospitalized Participants With COVID-19 Pneumonia Who Are Receiving Standard of Care Therapy

The study is designed as a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study of the safety and efficacy of tofacitinib in hospitalized adult participants with COVID-19 pneumonia who are receiving SoC therapy and who are not on HFNC, noninvasive ventilation, invasive mechanical ventilation, or ECMO on Day 1 at the time of randomization.

Participants with laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection as determined by a positive PCR or other commercially available or public health assay, who have agreed to participate will be screened within 48 hours after hospitalization to determine eligibility. This should be completed within 48 hours prior to Day 1.

Eligible participants will be randomized on Day 1 in a 1:1 ratio to the tofacitinib treatment group or the placebo treatment group and will receive treatment for up to 14 days, or until discharge from the hospital, whichever is earlier. If a participant requires intubation prior to the end of the 14-day treatment period, they will continue to receive tofacitinib or matching placebo until Day 14 (or until discharge from the hospital, if earlier than Day 14), if clinically appropriate.

Participants will be assessed daily (up to Day 28) while hospitalized for clinical, safety, and laboratory parameters. Follow-up visits will occur on Day 28, 28 to 35 days after the ET/ED/EOT visit, and on Day 60.

An independent, external DSMB will be convened to oversee the safety of participants and make recommendations regarding the conduct of the trial in accordance with the Charter.

• Drug: Tofacitinib
  10 mg tofacitinib administered as two 5 mg tablets or solution taken orally twice daily for 14 days
  Other Name: xeljanz
• Other: Placebo
  Tofacitinib-matching placebo administered as tablets or solution taken orally twice daily for 14 days

• Experimental: Tofacitinib
  Participants will receive tofacitinib 10 mg twice per day for 14 days and standard of care therapy.
  Intervention: Drug: Tofacitinib
• Placebo Comparator: Placebo
  Participants will receive tofacitinib-matching placebo twice per day for 14 days and standard of care therapy.
  Intervention: Other: Placebo

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male or female between 18 and 65 years. A female is eligible if she is not pregnant or breastfeeding. WOCBP must use 2 highly effective forms of contraception.
• Participants with laboratory-confirmed novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection prior to Day 1.
• Participants with evidence of COVID-19 pneumonia assessed by radiographic imaging (chest x ray or chest CT scan).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Require HFNC, non-invasive ventilation, invasive mechanical ventilation, or ECMO on Day 1 at the time of randomization.
• Have history of or current thrombosis. Only if current thrombosis is suspected, imaging testing is recommended (e.g. CTPA or per local guidance) to exclude thrombosis.
• Have a personal or first degree family history of blood clotting disorders.
• Participants who are immunocompromised, with known immunodeficiencies, or taking potent immunosuppressive agents (e.g. azathioprine, cyclosporine).
• Participants with any current malignancy or lymphoproliferative disorders that requires active treatment.
• Suspected or known active systemic bacterial, fungal, or viral infections (with the exception of COVID-19).
• Severe hepatic impairment, defined as Child-Pugh class C.
• Severe anemia (hemoglobin < 8 g/dL)
• ANY of the following abnormalities in clinical lab tests at screening, confirmed by a single repeat, if deemed necessary: ALC < 500 cells/mm3, ANC < 1000 cells/mm3
• Known allergy to tofacitinib