Researchers at Queen’s University have completed recruitment of patients to a UK-wide clinical trial that is assessing the safety of an innovative cell therapy for COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory failure.
In the most critically unwell patients with COVID 19, many develop a complication known as Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). In ARDS the lungs become inflamed and leaky so they fill with fluid. This causes respiratory failure and patients may require admission to intensive care and a ventilator machine to support their breathing. The REALIST COVID-19 trial, led by Professor Danny McAuley and Professor Cecilia O’Kane from Queen’s University, is assessing the safety and efficacy of a novel ORBCEL-C cell therapy to treat ICU patients with COVID-19. 60 patients have now been recruited at ICU sites across the UK including Belfast, Southampton, Manchester, Liverpool, Sunderland, Birmingham, Edinburgh and London. The results of the trial are expected in early 2021.
This study is one of a number of COVID-19 studies that have been given urgent public health research status by the Chief Medical Officer/ Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England. It is funded by the Wellcome Trust and HSC R&D Division, Public Health Agency and is sponsored by the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and supported by the NI Clinical Trials Unit. The delivery of the trial was supported by the NI Clinical Research Network and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).
Dr Janice Bailie, Assistant Director of HSC R&D Division, said: “The Health and Social Care Research & Development Division has been working with researchers across HSC to address the global problem of Coronavirus. I’m pleased to see the Northern Ireland research infrastructure leading on the REALIST study, with NI researchers making a strong contribution to reduce the impact of Coronavirus.
“Although we now have the first vaccines in place, it is still important to develop potential Coronavirus treatments to help tackle the spread of Coronavirus and the findings from the REALIST study will be useful in further informing and helping researchers. HSC R&D will continue to support health research and encourage people to participate in research trials and other studies so patients can get the best possible treatment to address Coronavirus.”
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