On Apr. 20, 2020, Alexion announced plans to initiate a global Phase 3 study to investigate ULTOMIRISﾮ (ravulizumab-cwvz) in a subset of adults with COVID-19 ﾖ those who are hospitalized with severe pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome.

The study was expected to enroll 270 patients across countries with high numbers of diagnosed cases, beginning in May, and evaluate the impact of ULTOMIRIS, a biologic medicine, on survival, duration of mechanical ventilation, and hospital stay compared to best supportive care. This followed the FDA rapid review and acceptance of Alexionﾒs investigational new drug application for ULTOMIRIS for severe COVID-19.