Researchers in the Weill Department of Medicine and Division of Infectious Diseases Launch Clinical Trials on COVID-19

Clinical researchers, as well as patients, their families, and all Americans, are hoping for effective treatments and, ultimately, a vaccine for COVID-19. To that end, physicians and scientists in the WDOM are forging much-needed clinical trials for the treatment of COVID-19, a form of coronavirus that has led to a national emergency in the United States. The WDOM is happy to announce that several lines of research are underway.

There are two open IRB-approved clinical trials for COVID-19 (one using Remdesivir, and the other, Sarilumab), and a collection initiative is underway for the use of convalescent plasma. All potential clinical trials are being evaluated by a committee led by Dr. Roy M. Gulick, Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases that includes members from a number of Divisions in the WDOM as well as members of other Departments at WCM.

Principal Investigator, Dr. Kristen Marks, is conducting a Phase 3 randomized study to evaluate the safety and antiviral activity of the drug Remdesivir. This study involves hospitalized patients who have moderate COVID-19. For further information and enrollment criteria: https://jcto.weill.cornell.edu/open_clinical_trials/a-phase-3-randomized-study-to-evaluate-the-safety-and-antiviral-activity-of-remdesivir-gs-5734-in-participants-with-moderate-covid-19-compared-to-standard-of-care-treatment

Principal Investigator, Dr. Marshall Glesby, is conducting an adaptive Phase2/3 study to assess the efficacy and safety of using Sarilumab, a monoclonal antibody, for hospitalized patients with severe or life-threatening COVID19. For further information and enrollment criteria: https://jcto.weill.cornell.edu/open_clinical_trials/adaptive-phase-23-randomized-double-blind-placebo-controlled-study-assessing-efficacy-and-safety-of-sarilumab-for-hospitalized-patients-with-covid-19

Principal Investigators, Dr. Grant Ellsworth (Division of Infectious Diseases, WDOM) and Dr. Robert DeSimone (Department of Pathology, WCM) are working on a convalescent plasma study, entitled, “Qualification of COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Donors.” Screening of potential donors that have recovered from confirmed COVID-19 for the donation of convalescent plasma is beginning. Please visit: https://www.nyp.org/covidresearch

Dr. Gulick recently spoke in a Weill Cornell Medicine video to provide helpful information on COVID-19 as well as long-range goals involving treatment and vaccine.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Q&A with Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Roy Gulick