RUXOCOIL

Overall survival after 28 days after registration into this trial

• Overall survival after 90 days after registration into this trial
• Assessment of the duration of ventilation support
• Assessment of the extent of cytokine storm reduction (IL-6, CRP, ferritin)
• To assess time on ICU
• To assess toxicity and safety of ruxolitinib treatment
• To assess seroconversion under ruxolitinib (SARS-Co-19- IgG)
• To assess pulmonary function (time point discharge from hospital)

In order to be eligible to participate in this study, a patient must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Male or non-pregnant female adult ≥18 years of age at time of enrollment
2. Has laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection as determined by PCR or other commercial or public health assay (result of the PCR is not necessary for inclusion, but has to be approved latest within 40 hours after enrollment)
3. Severe lung disease as defined by following: 
   • Recent intubation
   • Requirement of invasive ventilation moderate to severe pulmonary oxygen exchange disturbance as defined by (PaO2/FiO2) ≤ 200 mmHg at a PEEP ≥ 5mm H2O
   • Serum LDH > 283 U/l
   • Ferritin above normal value
   • CT‐scan: pulmonary infiltration compatible with Covid‐19 disease
4. Written informed consent if possible

An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:

1. Uncontrolled HIV infection
2. Active tuberculosis
3. Chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis
4. ALT/AST > 5 times the upper limit of normal
5. Pregnancy or breast feeding
6. Allergy to study medication
7. Simultaneous participation in another clinical trial with an experimental treatment

Ruxolitinib will be administered p.o. or by gavage feeding starting with 2 x 10mg bid dose at day 1 and can be increased up to 2 x 15mg bid from day 2 to day 28 (max) (depending on platelet counts and renal function). Dosing will be adjusted according to toxicity and kidney function.