NeuroRx announced that it has initiated a Phase 2/3 clinical trial of nebulized Zyesami aviptadil (RLF-100) for the treatment of severe COVID-19. In August 2020, NeuroRx announced that the FDA had cleared an IND for the trial, which is being led by researchers from the University of California Irvine’s UCI Health.
Principal investigator Richard Lee, Interim Chief of the UCI Health’s Division of Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine, said, “We are excited to be the first clinical site for this crucial study, which aims to prevent patients from progressing to respiratory failure and being admitted into the ICU. We have seen the devastation of COVID-19 firsthand and recognize the importance of investigating all potential therapeutics, especially one like Zyesami. Its mechanism holds promise as a treatment for patients in the ICU with critical COVID-19 and possibly also in the earlier stage of the disease, to reduce disease progression and respiratory failure.”
NeuroRx Chairman and CEO Jonathan Javitt commented, “We are welcome [sic] the partnership of UCI Health as our lead clinical site. Their nationally recognized leadership in the treatment of COVID-19 is inspiring. As increasingly virulent strains of the coronavirus emerge, threatening the efficacy of existing vaccines, we are counting on UCI to continue to help us chart a forward path. Naturally, we look forward to honoring our collaboration agreement with our partner Relief Therapeutics on this important project.”
Read the NeuroRx press release.
