COVID-19 patients recruited for MGC Pharma's treatment

MGC Pharmaceuticals (ASX:MXC) says it has recruited 33 of the 50 COVID-19 patients it needs for its Phase 2 clinical trial of its anti-inflammatory oral spray.

The formulation is a mix of sweet wormwood extracts and the active ingredient from turmeric, as well as supporting ingredients, all of which MGC Pharma says are known for their anti-inflammatory, anti-infective, and immune-modulatory properties.

MGC announced on Monday that the clinical trial had expanded to Rambam Academic Hospital in northern Israel, based on the clinical experience from the current trial sites at Nazareth Hospital EMMS and Hillel Yaffe Hospital.

Patient recruitment is also underway at Mahatma Gandhi Mission’s Medical College & Hospital in India.

MGC said the clinical trial is on schedule to conclude in October, with results expected in November.

“We are pleased to commence our clinical trial in India which will provide important wider statistical data required as part of the marketing authorization application,” said MGC Pharma co-founder and managing director Roby Zomer.

“We are also very pleased to receive the recommendation from the medical teams from the current trial which assisted with the expansion of our clinical trial in Israel to include the Rambam Hospital.

“We look forward to updating the market as the trial progresses in both Israel and India.”

As previously reported, an initial trial involving 10 patients found the medical spray was a safe and effective anti-inflammatory treatment for patients with COVID-19.

The company is planning a Phase 2b clinical trial that would commence once this Phase 2 is completed and the results analysed.