Division of Infectious Diseases Launches Clinical Studies to Uncover COVID-19 Treatments

April 23, 2020

Michigan Medicine researchers from a broad range of specialties and fields of study are either beginning or are well underway with research projects to address the coronavirus pandemic. This includes the Department of Internal Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases which has multiple projects that are in varying stages of development and management. Highlighted below are just a few, led by Dr. Daniel Kaul and Dr. Kevin Gregg, whose research efforts are directed at finding a treatment for the virus.

“Since no treatment has yet been proven to be effective against SARS CoV-2, Michigan Medicine is heavily involved and committed to investigating novel treatments for this pandemic,” says Dr. Kaul. “As part of that effort, we now have several clinical trials in progress that are available to hospitalized patients who meet specific criteria.”

Daniel Kaul, MD
Daniel Kaul, MD

Clinical Studies to Evaluate the Safety and Antiviral Activity of Remdesivir in Participants with Moderate and Severe COVID-19

These clinical studies were designed to investigate the activity of the novel antiviral medication Remdesivir in hospitalized patients - one for patients with moderate COVID-19 and the other for patients with severe COVID-19. The studies are led by Daniel Kaul, MD. Dr. Kaul is a Professor of Internal Medicine, Director of the Transplant Infectious Disease Service, and Director of the Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program.
 
 
 

Kevin Gregg, MD
Kevin Gregg, MD

Clinical Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Sarilumab for Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19

This clinical study investigates whether the drug Sarilumab can reduce an overactive immune response or “cytokine storm” that has been thought to result in a dramatic clinical deterioration in some patients suffering serious cases of infection with SARS CoV-2. Kevin Gregg, MD, Associate Professor Internal Medicine, leads the study. Dr. Gregg also directs the Systems-Based Hospital-Based (SBHB) Branch of the Medical School’s curriculum.
 
 
 
 
“These large and carefully designed trials are intended to determine whether Remdesivir and Sarilumab could be safe and effective treatments for patients with COVID-19,” says Dr. Gregg. “We are eager to evaluate the results of these trials and are hopeful to find a potential treatment for patients with COVID-19.”

Learn more about the wide range of Michigan Medicine endeavors to study and address the coronavirus pandemic.