an interferon beta-1a to which a single, linear 20,000 dalton methoxy poly(ethyleneglycol)-O-2-methylpropionaldehyde molecule is covalently attached to the alpha amino group of the N-terminal amino acid residue. A possible role for IFNs in prophylaxis or early treatment of COVID-19 has been suggested to compensate for possibly insufficient endogenous IFN production. However, the efficacy and safety of IFNs for treatment or prevention of COVID-19 were not established.