A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial has shown that in outpatients with COVID-19, peginterferon lambda could potentially prevent clinical deterioration and also reduced the duration of viral shedding.

The phase 2 study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine noted that the decline in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA was higher with peginterferon lambda compared to placebo from day 3 onward.

Investigators evaluated the treatment in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19. Patients were randomized to receive a single subcutaneous injection of peginterferon lambda 180 mcg or placebo within 7 days of onset of symptoms, or of first positive swab in case of asymptomatic patients. The mean decline in SARS-CoV-2 RNA was significantly greater in the peginterferon lambda group, compared to the placebo group across all time points, i.e., days 3, 5, 7, and 14… (Medscape)