Treatments
ACCORD will include several different potential treatments. These include new and existing anti-viral drugs, drugs which affect the immune system and drugs which target inflammatory molecules.
Current treatments
Three potential drugs are currently in the study:
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MEDI3506 – an IL-33 monoclonal antibody
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Zilucoplan – a complement C5 inhibitor that could block severe inflammatory responses, such as a ‘cytokine storm’, in COVID-19 patients
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Bemcentinib – AXL inhibitor with early data showing it can reduce viral infection and lung inflammation and blocks the SARS-CoV-2 coating from interacting and gaining entry into cells
Treatments showing promise will be fed into the large-scale UK COVID-19 trials, such as RECOVERY Plus, currently the world’s largest clinical trial for COVID-19 treatment.
Selection process
New drugs enter the trial platform only after assessment by a scientific review board. Drugs not previously tested for safety in people are not included.
Each treatment is tested in its own trial and has a sub-protocol that describes details of its use and testing. This includes how it is given, how much is given (dose), how often (dosage regimen) and for how long.
The effect on COVID-19 signs and symptoms in patients receiving test treatments plus standard of care will be compared with patients who receive standard of care only.
By ‘standard of care’ we mean the care recommended under NHS guidelines at the time of treatment during an ACCORD trial. These guidelines may change during the course of ACCORD as we understand COVID-19 better.
Treatments showing promise will be fed into the large-scale UK COVID-19 trials, such as Randomised Evaluation of COVID Therapy (RECOVERY), currently the world’s largest clinical trial for COVID-19 treatment.
Patients can be enrolled in other studies in addition to ACCORD, including RECOVERY-RS and GENOMICC.