NU 2020-067

INVENTORS
Kurt Lu*
Livia Veress
Kevin Cooper
Amisha Walia

SHORT DESCRIPTION
High dose Vitamin D regimen to treat immune dysregulation and reduce progression of COVID-19 related symptoms.

ABSTRACT
Northwestern researchers have developed a high dose vitamin D3 treatment strategy to prevent and treat inflammation observed in symptomatic COVID-19 patients. Administration of high dose cholecalciferol, in the presence or absence of a diuretic, has been discovered to result in a therapeutic benefit in pulmonary inflammation, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).  Initial preclinical data has shown that in a dose-dependent manner, oral vitamin D3 treatment leads to significant clinical improvement post-lung injury including increased survival and weight gain.  In addition, vitamin D3 testing in mice resulted in improved airway epithelial integrity and inflammation. Key pathological aspect of diseases caused by many viruses , including SARS-CoV-2, is pulmonary inflammation including aveolar edema that may progress to ARDS. Vitamin D3 intervention can be safely administered to prevent and treat such pulmonary inflammation in the general and at-risk population, and ultimately reduce progression of COVID-19.  

APPLICATIONS

• Prevention and treatment of pulmonary inflammation caused by many viruses including SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19

ADVANTAGES

• Multiple options of delivery: orally, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, intravenously
• Tested and known safety for administration to general and at-risk population

IP STATUS
A patent application has been filed.