The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said it will assess data including results from two ongoing clinical studies investigating the safety and efficacy of the drug in patients hospitalised with COVID-19.

Kineret, currently authorised to treat a number of inflammatory conditions, is made by Swedish rare disease drug maker Sobi.

The drug reduces the activity of the immune system, and its active substance blocks the activity of a chemical messenger in the immune process that leads to inflammation.

“It is thought that this could also help reduce the inflammation and tissue damage associated with COVID-19,” the EMA said, adding that it expects the outcome from the evaluation in October. (Reporting by Yadarisa Shabong in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber and Uttaresh.V)

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