Virios Therapeutics has reported positive results from a study of valacyclovir and celecoxib for the treatment of symptoms associated with post-acute sequelae of Covid-19 (PASC) infection in adult female patients.

The investigator-initiated, single-centre, open-label study was carried out using an unrestricted investigational grant at the Bateman Horne Center (BHC) in Utah, US.

It assessed the efficacy and safety of the combined therapy in female patients diagnosed with long Covid or PASC symptoms.

A total of 22 female patients were randomised to receive twice-daily doses of valacyclovir and celecoxib for 14 weeks.

In addition, 17 female patients with long Covid were matched by age and length of illness and treated in a control cohort.

Clinically and statistically significant improvements were observed in general health status, fatigue, pain, and symptoms of autonomic dysfunction.

The PROMIS fatigue instrument and a numeric rating scale were used to measure fatigue while pain was measured by an NRS scale. Autonomic dysfunction symptoms were measured using the Orthostatic Intolerance Questionnaire. 

Treatment with the combined therapy was well tolerated, with no serious adverse events reported.

Despite this, one patient discontinued treatment due to nausea, the most common adverse event.

Virios Therapeutics chief medical officer Michael Gendreau said: “Given the lack of available treatments to improve care for patients suffering from long Covid symptoms, these encouraging results warrant progressing this unique combination treatment into advanced development for post-viral syndromes, including long Covid.

“We look forward to engaging the Food and Drug Administration to discuss progressing this novel treatment option into active Phase II clinical development.”