AI drug discovery company BenevolentAI stated on Monday that its AI-derived hypothesis for baricitinib has been approved for the treatment of COVID-19 based on the data of randomised clinical trial, sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

On 8 May 2020, the company launched a large scale randomised control trial in more than 1,000 patients to assess the efficacy and safety of baricitinib plus remdesivir versus remdesivir in hospitalised patients with COVID-19.

According to Eli Lilly, Baricitinib in combination with remdesivir achieved the primary endpoint of the study, which was a statistically significant reduction in the time to recovery for patients in comparison with remdesivir alone. The participant were well enough for hospital discharge and the patient either no longer required ventilation or ongoing medical care within the hospital, or was no longer hospitalised.

In addition, Lilly is conducting a Phase 3 randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of baricitinib in hospitalised adults with COVID-19.

Baricitinib, which is approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases, is administered orally and has been used to treat COVID-19 patients in more than 14 clinical trials worldwide including the randomised clinical trials by the NIAID and Eli Lilly.