LIBERATE Trial [COVID-19]
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Lipid ibuprofen versus standard of care for acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure due to COVID-19: a multicentre, randomised, controlled trial
IRAS ID
282009
Contact name
Helen Critchley
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Guys and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Eudract number
2020-001203-16
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 0 days
Research summary
As of March 2020, as this study is being developed, there are no approved therapeutics for the severe illnesses caused by COVID-19, a disease induced by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 that emerged in China in late 2019 and has since spread globally. Common COVID-19 symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath. While that majority (approximately 80%) of cases result in mild symptoms, some progress to pneumonia, acute respiratory distress and multi-organ failure. The overall rate of deaths per number of diagnosed cases is currently 4.5%, but in fact ranges from 0.2% to 15% according to age group and other health problems. Acute respiratory distress is the major complication in patients with COVID-19 which commonly requires admission to critical care and mechanical ventilation. Ibuprofen is an over-the-counter medication that is commonly used to treat inflammation and pain which has recently demonstrated promising effects in a preclinical acute respiratory distress model. Given the absence of treatment options for COVID-19 and the already established population safety data for ibuprofen, the aim of the study is to evaluate the reduction in severity and progression of respiratory failure with three doses of lipid ibuprofen in patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19.
REC name
London - Dulwich Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/HRA/1782
Date of REC Opinion
6 May 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion