Photo-Protection Trial (NB-UVB vs. Placebo) in High-risk Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients

Study Design

This is a multi-center, double blind, randomized control trial designed to assess the safety and efficacy of daily NB-UVB light for patients presenting to site hospitals over the age of 50 with a positive COVID-19 panel and at least one comorbidity.

This trial provides adjunctive therapy and no in-hospital treatments need to be modified in any way. The sponsor and the centers acknowledge standards of care are actively evolving and this trial is not intended to interfere in any form.

Double Blind: Patient and Health care provider will be blinded to the treatment vs. placebo by use of a non-NB-UVB light card. All dosing and times for treatment and placebo will be calculated the same methods.

Arm A: Control: Will receive non-NB-UVB light during the Treatment Period.

Arm B: Treatment: Will receive NB-UVB light during the Treatment Period.

Treatment Phase (Days 1-8): Treatment Schedule will be identical for arm A and B.

Follow Up Phase (Days 9-28 or discharge): Follow-up will be identical for arms A and B.

Blood Draw Schedule: Blood draws are to be performed after enrollment, before the first treatment day 1 and on days 3, 5, 8, 14 and day of discharge (if prior to day 14 unless blood draw has already occurred within one day of discharge).

Inclusion criteria

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To be eligible to enroll in the study, subjects must be:

• In-Hospital
• 50 years of age or older
• Hospitalized for COVID-I9 symptoms
• At least one comorbidity.
• They have taken a COVID-19 diagnostic test.
• Peripheral 02 saturation below 94 on room air, nasal cannula or non-rebreather
• Patients may remain enrolled as long as they remain hospitalized for
• COVID-19 symptoms and receive a positive test panel for COVID-19
• during the treatment phase
• Be able to provide consent.

Exclusion criteria

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To be eligible to enroll in the study, subjects must not:

• Require ventilatory support at the time of enrollment.
• Concurrent pulmonary bacterial infection
• Taking Light Sensitive Medications
• Have Lupus Diagnosis
• Enrolled in an existing Covid-19 Trial
• Taking In-patient Vitamin oral Supplementation
• Severe mental or medical disability
• History of melanoma or dysplastic nevus syndrome
• Prisoner
• Active tuberculosis or Cystic Fibrosis, Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or Pulmonary Fibrosis requiring home supplemental oxygen
• Pre-existing pulmonary hypertension
• INR > 2, LFT 6 times greater than baseline
• Stage 3b CKD or ESRD diagnosis before COVID-19 onset
• Evidence of cirrhosis
• Evidence of pre-existing vascular disorder or coagulopathy
• Irreversible bleeding disorder
• Patients who are not full code
• Taking oral light sensitizing medications (See Appendix) or using light sensitizing topical
• medication in the phototherapy treatment zones
• Taking in patient or at home Vitamin D supplementation
• Have any photosensitive skin disorder such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Porphyria or
• Pseudoporphyria, Polymorphous Light Eruption Xeroderma Pigmentosa, Chronic actinic
• dermatitis, Hydroa vacciniforme, Dermatomyositis Bloom Syndrome, Rothmund Thomas
• syndrome, Cockayne Syndrome
• Requiring oxygen supplementation via CPAP/BiPAP, ventilator support, High Flow Nasal
• Prong therapy (HFNP)
• Concurrent pulmonary bacterial infection at the time of enrollment
• Previous hospital admission for COVID-19 symptoms