Defibrotide for the Treatment of Severe COVID-19

This study is a prospective, single-arm, two-cohort, phase 2 pilot study that will evaluate the safety and efficacy of defibrotide in clinically severe COVID-19. The defibrotide dose that is approved by the FDA for the treatment of post-HSCT VOD/SOS (6.25 mg/kg IV q6 hours) will be used.

Cohort 1 will consist of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia confirmed by PCR and radiography, who are hospitalized with an oxygen requirement (either supplemental O2 or mechanical ventilation), are not on therapeutic dose anticoagulation, and require no more than one vasopressive agent to maintain hemodynamic stability. Cohort 2 will consist of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia confirmed by PCR and radiography, who are hospitalized in the ICU and are at elevated risk of hemorrhage and/or hypotension, the former defined as a requirement for therapeutic dose anticoagulation for active thrombosis, ECMO, or CRRT, and the latter defined as a requirement for two vasopressive agents to maintain hemodynamic stability.

In cohort 2 only, a 6+6 dose de-escalation design will be utilized, in which if 2 of 6 DLTs are experienced in the first 6 subjects, the dose will be reduced from 6.25 mg/kg IV q6hrs to 10mg/kg/d CIVI. If there are 0 or 1 DLTs in the first 6 subjects at the FDA-approved dose, another 6 subjects will be enrolled at the same dose. Grade 3/4 hemorrhage and significant new hypotension will be considered DLT's.