AstraZeneca says Farxiga Covid-19 results not significant

AstraZeneca said a trial of its Farxiga drug for treating hospitalised Covid-19 patients did not produce statistically significant results.

Farxiga, whose generic name is dapagliflozin, is a treatment for type 2 diabetes and organ failure. AstraZeneca and Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute ran trials to see whether the SGLT2 inhibitor would help prevent organ dysfunction and death among Covid-19 patients.

Cardiac, renal and metabolic conditions have been linked to poor outcomes and death in patients hospitalised with Covid-19

AstraZeneca said the Dare-19 Phase III trial "did not achieve statistical significance for the primary endpoint of prevention measuring organ dysfunction and all-cause mortality and the primary endpoint of recovery measuring a change in clinical status (from early recovery to death)".

The safety and tolerability profile of Farxiga at 30 days in the trial was consistent with its established safety record. The full trial results will be presented at the American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions in May, AstraZeneca said.

Mene Pangalos, AstraZeneca's executive vice president for biopharmaceuticals research, said: "Prior to the Dare-19 Phase III trial, there was little data on the use of SGLT2 inhibitors in hospitalised patients with Covid-19 and we have now helped to fill this knowledge gap. We look forward to the efficacy and safety data being presented in the coming weeks."