Faron Pharmaceuticals Ltd - Turku, Finland-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company - Publishes research expanding on analysis of a gene mutation in an interferon receptor that is linked to corticosteroid response and outcomes in acute respiratory distress syndrome and Covid-19 patients. Builds on Faron’s findings from its phase III ’Interest’ trial for Traumakine in ARDS patients. Traumakine is an investigational intravenous interferon beta-1a therapy.

Analysis in 2018 had shown patients receiving Traumakine who had the specific mutation have a substantial reduction in mortality, compared to those without. The new research suggests adding glucocorticosteroids to Traumakine treatment is not harmful in patients with the mutation, but can lead to markers of inflammation - high levels of interferon gamma- in patients without the mutation. These markers are associated with poor outcomes in ARDS and Covid-19 patients.

The mutation is reportedly fairly common, presenting in 45% of people with African, 35% of Caucasians and 10% of Asians, which could make some populations more vulnerable to the use of steroids.

‘Our research also shows that a relatively common polymorphism, which until now has not been recognized as having any clinical significance, actually plays a critical role in disease states where interferons and glucocorticosteroids have an impact on mortality. These findings will support our continued research into the potential of intravenous interferon beta-1a therapy as a future treatment for ARDS and other acute settings of systemic inflammation leading to capillary leak,’ says Chief Operating Officer & leader author of the research Juho Jalkanen.

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