Resolve Therapeutics Releases Phase 2 Long COVID Study Results for RSLV-132

In a recent development, Resolve Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on creating innovative treatments for autoimmune and post-viral conditions, has announced the publication of its phase 2 trial results for long COVID in Clinical Infectious Diseases. The study, titled "Assessment of the Impact of RNase in Patients with Severe Fatigue Related to Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PASC): A randomized phase 2 trial of RSLV-132," explored the efficacy of RNase in treating long COVID symptoms, particularly severe fatigue, in 108 patients who had contracted COVID-19 at least six months before the study commenced.

Participants in the trial were administered either RSLV-132 or a placebo over a two-month period, receiving a total of six doses. Researchers assessed the participants' fatigue levels and overall disease activity using various measurement tools, including PROMIS SF 10a, FACIT-Fatigue, and a physician's global assessment.

Long COVID, affecting approximately 18 million Americans, is characterized by persistent symptoms such as extreme fatigue, brain fog, immune system dysregulation, and mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Despite the pressing need for medical interventions, The Lancet recently highlighted that only a dozen pharmacological trials are in progress to address these symptoms. This highlights the significant gap in effective treatments for long COVID.

RSLV-132, a drug already showing promise in alleviating autoimmune-related fatigue in Sjogren's syndrome, demonstrated encouraging results in the phase 2 trial for long COVID. The findings suggest that removing circulating RNA might benefit patients dealing with long COVID symptoms.

Dr. James Posada, CEO of Resolve Therapeutics, expressed optimism about the potential of RSLV-132 to alleviate the severe fatigue experienced by long COVID patients. He also noted a gender-related observation from the trial data, indicating that women might respond more positively to RSLV-132 and the digestion of latent viral RNA compared to men.

RSLV-132 is a biologic drug that does not suppress the immune system. It consists of catalytically active human RNase1 fused to the Fc region of human IgG1. The design allows it to stay in serum circulation and digest extracellular pathogenic RNA, which is a major trigger for interferon and cytokine production. These proteins drive chronic inflammation seen in diseases like SLE and Sjogren's syndrome. Emerging research suggests that RNA could also be a contributing factor in post-viral illnesses like PASC and ME/CFS. Thus, eliminating RNA from circulation could reduce inflammation and mitigate related symptoms.

Resolve Therapeutics is at the forefront of developing treatments for autoimmune and post-viral diseases. The company focuses on the pivotal role pathogenic RNA molecules play in causing inflammation and neuroinflammatory symptoms, whether the RNA is self-derived or from viral sources. Alongside its efforts against long COVID, Resolve is advancing RSLV-132 in clinical programs targeting diseases such as SLE and Sjogren's syndrome.