• Investigation of combination therapies including Bayer’s chloroquine and interferon beta-1b to foster much needed solutions for patients in fight against coronavirus pandemic
• Bayer Canada to make CAD 1.5 million (approximately 1 million euros) financial commitment and to supply products in support of the research
• Plans to include more than 60 contributing research locations involving 6.000 patients

Bayer announced today its Canadian organization Bayer Inc., Mississauga, Ontario, will partner with the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI) in launching a major clinical research program aimed at identifying potential treatments against COVID-19. The two studies will evaluate the safety and efficacy of different combination therapies including Bayer’s chloroquine and interferon beta-1b.

“Treatments against COVID-19 are urgently needed as no validated options are currently available,” said Dr. Mike Devoy, Member of the Executive Committee of Bayer AG’s Pharmaceuticals Division and Chief Medical Officer. “We want to contribute to the global fight against the coronavirus through our products and expertise and look forward to partnering with the PHRI.”

Bayer will make a financial commitment of CAD 1.5 million (approx. 1 million euros) towards the studies and will supply study drugs to support the research. This adds to the CAD 0.5 million committed by the PHRI earlier this month which enabled the development of the research program.

“Specifically, an outpatient study will evaluate the combination of chloroquine with azithromycin to see if this treatment can prevent deterioration leading to hospital admission, while a second study will evaluate the combination of chloroquine with azithromycin, as well as interferon beta-1b, to prevent admission to intensive care, mechanical ventilation and/or death to combat COVID-19,” said Salim Yusuf, Executive Director of PHRI. “Our goal is to assess the value of these and other therapies rapidly so that the results can inform practice as soon as possible.”

PHRI plans to enroll 6,000 patients into the two studies from more than 60 contributing research sites across the Canadian province of Ontario and internationally.

“Ontario is home to world-class researchers who are continually furthering our understanding within the health sciences and finding new ways to keep our communities healthy and safe,” said Ross Romano, Minister of Colleges and Universities of the Government of Ontario. “I want to thank Bayer, the Population Health Research Institute, and all of our research community for their critical work to limit the impact of COVID-19. I know that, because of your efforts, we will emerge from this stronger than ever.”