By Chris Wack 



  Eli Lilly and Co. and Incyte Corp. said initial data emerging from the Adaptive Covid-19 Treatment Trial sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases showed positive results. 


  ACTT-2 included more than 1,000 patients and began on May 8 to assess the efficacy and safety of a 4-mg dose of baricitinib plus remdesivir versus remdesivir in hospitalized patients with Covid-19. 


  The companies said baricitinib in combination with remdesivir met the primary endpoint of reduction of time to recovery in comparison with remdesivir. 


  Study investigators noted a one-day reduction in median recovery time for the overall patient population treated with baricitinib in combination with remdesivir versus those treated with remdesivir. The study also met a key secondary endpoint comparing patient outcomes at Day 15 using an ordinal eight-point scale ranging from fully recovered to death. 


  Lilly said it plans to discuss the potential for emergency use authorization with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and to explore similar measures with other regulatory agencies, including Health Canada, for baricitinib as a treatment of hospitalized patients with Covid-19. If authorized for use in Canada, Lilly will propose that baricitinib be available through commercial channels and will work with hospitals and governments to ensure patient access. 


  Write to Chris Wack at chris.wack@wsj.com