Like ruxolitinib, baricitinib (OLUMIANT) is an inhibitor of Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) and Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) which are tyrosine kinases involved in JAK signaling pathways. Baricitinib is a reversible and selective inhibitor and is indicated in the treatment of moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis for its anti-inflammatory effect. It is a second-line therapy, i.e., used after failure of conventional disease-modifying therapies. It can be used alone or in combination with methotrexate (MTX).

A clinical study on the efficacy and safety of baricitinib for the treatment of Covid-19 has begun. The anti-inflammatory activity of this drug may have a potential beneficial effect in the treatment of Covid-19. The use of baritinicib therapy may limit the cytokine release syndrome associated with Covid-19 and may be useful because it acts against a wide range of cytokines.