SNG001 Fails Primary Endpoints, But May Alleviate Long COVID Symptoms

Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19, also known as post-COVID-19 conditions or “long COVID,” can affect as many as 1 in 5 people who contract SARS-CoV-2. The debilitating symptoms of long COVID can last for months.

Interferon beta (IFN-β) is essential for the immune system to defend against COVID-19 and other viruses, but adept pathogens can suppress this defense mechanism. The SPRINTER trial (NCT04732949) evaluated the efficacy of inhalable SNG001, an IFN-β-1a nebulizer solution, in restoring lung IFN-β levels.

Data from Synairgen’s randomized controlled trial were presented at the IDWeek 2022 conference on Friday, 10/21, at a late-breaking session. While SNG001 did not meet the primary endpoints of time to discharge or recovery due to improvements in standard-of-care, there were promising secondary endpoints met.

The SPRINTER trial analyzed inhaled IFN-β in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Patients who required low-flow oxygen were randomized to receive either SNG001 (n = 314) or placebo (n = 309) once a day for 14 days, in addition to receiving standard-of-care.

As a secondary endpoint, the investigators assessed long COVID symptoms at follow-up phone or video calls on days 60 and 90. They also examined patient reported outcomes, recorded via 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).

Compared to placebo, SNG001 reduced the relative risk of common long COVID symptoms, including a 35.4% reduction in fatigue/malaise, 28.3% reduction of dyspnea, and 61.4% reduction in loss of taste/smell.

The study authors noted that despite the failure to reduce time to discharge or recovery, SNG001 has potential to treat post-acute sequelae of COVID-19. They concluded that “the shift from pandemic to endemic status for COVID-19” supports the continued investigation of SNG001 for common long COVID symptoms.

This late-breaking study, “Impact of Treatment of Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients With Inhaled Interferon Beta-1a (SNG001) on Long COVID Symptoms: Results From the SPRINTER trial,” was presented by Phillip D. Monk, PhD, at IDWeek 2022, held October 19-23, 2022, in Washington, D.C.