June 19, 2020 -- Ampio Pharmaceuticals will begin a phase I clinical trial to evaluate its Ampion drug candidate for treatment of COVID-19 patients who are on supplemental oxygen.
Ampio made the announcement following completion of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration review of the company's investigational new drug application for intravenous treatment with Ampion of COVID-19 patients. Now, the company is cleared to proceed with human trials.
Ampion is based on an immunomodulatory molecule derived from the N-terminus of human serum albumin. The drug has been shown to reduce inflammation by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine production in T cells. Therefore, Ampion may be effective in interrupting the inflammatory cytokine storm associated with COVID-19 and improve patient outcomes, according to the firm.