Biotechnology company Partner Therapeutics Inc (PTx) announced on Tuesday that it has entered into a USD35m milestone-based Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) with the US Department of Defense (DOD) to fund two clinical studies of inhaled Leukine (sargramostim) in patients with COVID-19 associated acute hypoxemia.
The company will use the fund to support two Phase 2 studies to assess the benefits of Leukine in the treatment of patients with acute hypoxemia due to COVID-19 as well as support regulatory filings for a potential EUA and expansion of production capacity.
According to the company, the first of the two clinical studies will begin in August 2020 and will supplement data from more than 60 patients who have completed treatment in the SARPAC study (sargramostim in patients with acute hypoxic respiratory failure due to COVID-19) clinical trial, currently underway at five hospitals in Belgium.
Leukine (sargramostim) is a recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (rhuGM-CSF) that facilitates cellular signaling, epithelial repair and other critical processes that enhance the immune response and help defend the body against infection. GM-CSF is a naturally occurring protein that is essential for maintaining healthy lungs, concluded the company.
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