Asunercept for the Treatment of Patients With Moderate to Severe COVID-19 Disease

Inclusion Criteria: * Patient must be willing and able to give informed consent to participate in the trial and to adhere to the procedures stated in the protocol * ≥18 years of age * Patient is admitted to a hospital (max. 72 hours prior to randomization) due to COVID-19 and has a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test * Clinical symptoms indicative of moderate or severe illness (corresponding to score 5 or 6 on the WHO 10-point clinical progression scale) with COVID 19 prior to trial treatment * Patient agrees to not participate in another clinical trial from screening until day 56 Exclusion Criteria: * Patient is moribund or has an estimated life expectancy \<1 month (e.g., terminal cancer, etc.) * Patient is anticipated to be discharged from hospital within 48 hours * Patient requires anti-inflammatory medicines beyond SoC (SoC are drugs that are approved for treatment of COVID-19 as well as medicines that have been recommended in treatment guidelines of national health authorities and/or professional organization) * Patient requires invasive mechanical ventilation * Patient is known to have active tuberculosis * Patient is known to have hereditary fructose intolerance. * Patient is known to have co-infection with Influenza viruses or other viral respiratory infections (respiratory syncytial virus \[RSV\], parainfluenza viruses, respiratory adenoviruses).