Lombard

Researchers are evaluating molnupiravir, a study medicine designed to stop the COVID-19 virus from multiplying, to see if it can prevent severe illness from COVID-19 more effectively than a placebo. This Phase 3 randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study focuses on non-hospitalized adults at high risk of severe disease progression due to COVID-19. The study addresses the need for alternative treatments for people who cannot take certain COVID-19 medications due to availability or potential drug interactions. Participants will receive either molnupiravir or a placebo, both given orally as two 400 mg film-coated tablets every 12 hours for 5 days, totaling 10 doses. Some participants may also receive remdesivir as part of standard care if clinically appropriate and available. The study compares the effects of molnupiravir with placebo in preventing severe illness outcomes. Throughout the study, participants will be monitored for outcomes such as hospitalization, death, or medically attended visits related to COVID-19 up to 29 days. Safety is assessed by tracking adverse events for up to about 5 months and discontinuation of study treatment due to adverse events for about 5 days. The study involves laboratory tests, symptom assessments, and safety evaluations to understand molnupiravir's impact on disease progression and participant health.

Researchers are investigating whether the medicine vicadrostat, when taken together with empagliflozin, can lower the risk of heart-related problems in adults who have type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease but no history of heart failure. This study is a Phase III trial that compares the effects of vicadrostat plus empagliflozin to a placebo plus empagliflozin in people with these conditions. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group takes vicadrostat and empagliflozin tablets, and the other group takes placebo tablets that look like vicadrostat along with empagliflozin. All participants take one tablet daily for a period ranging from two and a half years up to four years and three months. Throughout the study, participants continue their usual medications for diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. During up to 51 months of participation, participants visit the study site regularly where doctors collect health information and blood samples. Researchers track when participants experience cardiovascular events such as heart-related deaths or heart failure events. The study also monitors participants’ overall health and any side effects they may experience to assess the safety and effects of the treatments.

Researchers are evaluating surgical and minimally invasive treatments for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) by comparing Medicare patients who received the MILD procedure against those who had interspinous process decompression (IPD). The study focuses on outcomes such as the rate of harms related to the initial procedure and the frequency of additional surgical or minimally invasive interventions within 24 months after treatment. Enrollment includes patients treated from January 1, 2017, onward, with continuation until the sponsor decides to stop. The MILD procedure involves percutaneous image-guided lumbar decompression, performed under fluoroscopy through a dorsal approach to partially remove tissue and bone at the affected spinal level. The control group receives the IPD procedure for LSS. Both groups are monitored for a 24-month period post-index procedure using Medicare claims data to track reoperations and any harms. Participants contribute data through Medicare claims without needing prior enrollment or consent, as the study is exempt from IRB oversight. Researchers collect and analyze information on procedure-related harms and subsequent interventions over two years. This approach allows evaluation of long-term safety and effectiveness outcomes for patients treated with either MILD or IPD.