Official Title
Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Derived Extracellular Vesicles Infusion Treatment for COVID-19 Associated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS): A Phase II Clinical Trial
Brief Summary

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravenous administration of bone marrow derived extracellular vesicles, ExoFlo, versus placebo as treatment for moderate-to-severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) in patients with severe COVID-19.

Detailed Description

This is a Phase II, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized controlled trial that
enrolled 102 subjects that were admitted with COVID-19 associated moderate-to-severe ARDS
across 6 sites in the United States.

Completed
COVID-19
ARDS

Biological: ExoFlo

Intravenous administration of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell derived extracellular vesicles

Other: Intravenous normal saline

Placebo

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Provision of signed and dated informed consent form (either by the individual or by
the individual's healthcare proxy).

2. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the
duration of the study

3. Male or female, aged 18-85.

4. COVID-19 positive as defined by positive Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain
Reaction (RT-PCR) SARS-CoV-2.

5. Moderate to severe ARDS as defined by modified Berlin definition, * which includes
timing within 1 week of known clinical insult or new or worsening respiratory
symptoms; bilateral opacities not fully explained by effusions, or lung collapse;
respiratory failure not fully explained by cardiac failure or fluid overload;
PaO2/FiO2 ≤ 200 mm Hg.

*Modified Berlin definition used in this study is the full Berlin definition, albeit
without the PEEP specification, which implies mechanical ventilation.

6. Hypoxia requiring noninvasive oxygen support such as Nasal Cannula (NC), Nonrebreather
(NRB), Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BIPAP), Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
(CPAP), high flow nasal cannula oxygen (HFNC O2) or mechanical ventilation (MV)
despite initiating standard of care.

7. If the candidate is either a male or female of reproductive potential, he or she must
agree to use of double barrier method of highly effective birth control contraception
such as condoms with oral contraceptive pill or choose to remain abstinent if already
practicing abstinence during the screening period. The required duration of usage of
double barrier method OR maintenance of abstinence must include the time from the
beginning of the screening period until 90 days following the last dose of the study
treatment.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Vulnerable populations such as pregnant patients, children, individuals with severe
physical or mental disabilities who cannot provide meaningful consent.

2. Active malignancy requiring treatment within the last five years.

3. Major physical trauma in the last 5 days, including motor vehicle accidents, assaults,
mechanical falls with sequelae of significant bleeding or craniofacial bruising, and
surgeries.

4. Active tuberculosis or cystic fibrosis.

5. Severe chronic respiratory disease including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or
pulmonary fibrosis requiring home oxygen > 5L/min.

6. Use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) during the current hospitalization.

7. Pre-existing pulmonary hypertension.

8. Severe pre-existing hepatic impairment (presence of cirrhosis, liver function tests
(LFTs) ≥ 6x baseline, INR ≥ 2.0).

9. Pre-existing Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) stage IIIb or End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)
prior to onset of COVID-19 (stage I, II, and IIIa are acceptable)

10. Irreversible coagulopathy (e.g., frequently occluded vascular access despite
anticoagulation, precipitous platelet drops concurrent with end-organ damage
suggesting consumptive process) or irreversible bleeding disorder (e.g., frequent
bleeding from vascular access, endotracheal tubes, and foley).

11. Pneumonia clearly attributable to a non-COVID-19 related process, including aspiration
pneumonia or pneumonia that is exclusively bacterial, or originating from a diagnosed
alternative virus (e.g., influenza).

12. Patients who are not full code.

13. Endotracheal intubation duration ≤ 24 hours.

14. Moribund-expected survival < 24 hours.

15. Severe metabolic disturbances on presentation (e.g., ketoacidosis, pH < 7.3)

Eligibility Gender
All
Eligibility Age
Minimum: 18 Years ~ Maximum: 85 Years
Countries
United States
Locations

Helen Keller Hospital
Sheffield, Alabama, United States

St. Joseph Heritage Healthcare
Anaheim, California, United States

Donald Guthrie Foundation/ Robert Packer Hospital
Sayre, Pennsylvania, United States

Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center
Houston, Texas, United States

Covenant Health System
Lubbock, Texas, United States

PRX Research
Mesquite, Texas, United States

Amy Lightner, MD, Study Director
Direct Biologics, LLC

Direct Biologics, LLC
NCT Number
Keywords
Covid-19
ARDS
extracellular vesicles
exosome
MeSH Terms
COVID-19