On October 28, 2020, Boehringer Ingelheim announced the initiation of a Phase 2 clinical trial of BI 764198, an inhibitor of TRPC6, a receptor-operated cation channel. This potent and selective inhibitor of TRPC6 may alleviate the damage to the lung and decrease the risk or severity of acute respiratory complications in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. The aim of therapy with BI 764198 is to reduce the need for ventilator support, to improve patient recovery rate, and ultimately to save lives. Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to fighting COVID-19 and contributing, with its expertise and resources, to the development of new therapeutic options for patients suffering from the virus’ severe complications. “COVID-19 can cause serious lung complications, such as viral pneumonia, and, in severe cases, can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and lung failure,” said Lorraine B. Ware (https://medicine.vumc.org/person/lorraine-b-ware-md), MD, Ralph and Lulu Oven Endowed Chair and Professor of Medicine, and Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center. “Patients hospitalized with ARDS due to COVID-19 are often unable to breathe on their own and may require life support from a mechanical ventilator to help supply oxygen to the body. While we hope that future vaccines will help reduce cases of severe COVID-19, there remains an unmet need to address respiratory complications in infected patients, and provide healthcare professionals an effective alternative to mechanical ventilation that can potentially reduce the treatment burden within the hospital setting.” Approximately 15% of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 develop severe disease and up to 30% of severely ill patients may require medical care in an intensive care unit (ICU).Login Or Register To Read Full Story