Michael Gordon, ICEID 2022: Oral sabizabulin reduces mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 at high risk for acute respiratory distress syndrome

Sabizabulin is a microtubule disruptor initially developed as an anti-cancer agent that is being repurposed to treat COVID-19. The VERU-111 clinical trial (NCT04842747), which investigates the use of oral sabizabulin on hospitalized patients with COVID-19, is discussed in this touchRESPIRATORY interview with Dr Michael Gordon (HonorHealth Research Institute). 

‘Oral sabizabulin reduces mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 at high risk for acute respiratory distress syndrome’ was presented at the annual International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases (ICEID), August 7–10, 2022.

1. What is sabizabulin and what is the rationale for its use in the treatment of COVID-19? (00:21)
2. What were the aims, design and eligibility criteria of the VERU-111 clinical trial? (02:05)
3. What were the primary and secondary endpoints, and how well were they achieved? (04:38)
4. What was the safety profile of sabizabulin? (06:57)
5. What were the limitations of the study and what further studies are needed? (08:06)

Disclosures: Michael Gordon is a consultant for OnQuality, Viracta, Qualigen, Leaderboard and MorphicTx; he receives grant/research support from Veru, FujiFilm, ATEA, Beigene, Incyte, Kinevant, Redhill and Syndax; he is on the Advisory Board for Pfizer.

Support: Interview and filming supported by Touch Medical Media. Interview conducted by Marianna Mignani. 

Filmed as a highlight of ICEID 2022