Contagion Live: Targeting Lung Blood Vessel Inflammation in COVID-19 Patients
UC cardiologist discusses use of razuprotafib to lessen blood vessel inflammation
Richard Becker, MD, director of the UC Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute, was interviewed by a reporter for Contagion Live about a new phase 2 clinical trial UC and UC Health are conducting using the drug razuprotafib, to lessen inflammation of the blood vessels in COVID-19 patients. Razuprotafib activates a key pathway for stabilizing blood vessels in the lungs and may prevent or treat respiratory distress in COVID-19 patients. Becker, also a UC Health cardiologist, and Duncan Hite, a professor in the UC College of Medicine, and medical director of critical care at UC Health, are overseeing the trial using razuprotafib at UC. The drug is being used as a part of clinical trial in 20 sites across the nation.
Listen to the Contagion Live interview online.
Learn more about the research involving Dr. Becker and Dr. Hite.
Related Stories
Struggling with daily HIV meds?
March 23, 2026
For many people living with HIV, staying healthy depends on something deceptively simple: taking a pill every day. But for those navigating unstable housing, stigma, mental health challenges or addiction, that daily routine can be hard to maintain. As Yahoo!Health recently reported, a new study suggests there may be a better option.
Extended-release buprenorphine viable, safe during pregnancy
March 23, 2026
MedPage Today highlighted research led by the University of Cincinnati's John Winhusen published in JAMA Internal Medicine that found administering weekly injectable extended-release buprenorphine for treatment of opioid use disorder during pregnancy led to higher rates of abstinence from illicit opioids than buprenorphine given daily under the tongue.
Why are we so unhappy?
March 23, 2026
Suzie White, assistant professor in the School of Education, at the University of Cincinnati, spoke with Newsweek about the results of the 2026 World Happiness Report that placed the United States 23rd among countries.