Biotech company Partner Therapeutics Inc (PTx) announced on Thursday the launch of a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of Leukine (sargramostim) in patients with acute respiratory failure associated with COVID-19,

The Leukine trial will be conducted at Singapore General Hospital to study lung function and other important patient outcomes. The trial is open to patients hospitalised for COVID-19 who are experiencing acute hypoxic respiratory failure. Patients will be randomised to receive intravenous Leukine for five days and local standard of care or placebo plus standard of care.

According to the company, the primary endpoint of the study will evaluate Leukine's impact on lung homeostasis by evaluating the difference in oxygenation measures between the two groups.

Leukine is also being assessed in the SARPAC (sargramostim in patients with acute hypoxic respiratory failure due to COVID-19) clinical trial currently underway at five hospitals in Belgium to treat patients with respiratory illness associated with COVID-19. This first randomised, controlled clinical trial to assess the benefits of Leukine in the treatment of COVID-19 is nearing completion.

First approved by the FDA in 1991, Leukineis a recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage growth factor (rhuGM-CSF) that stimulates the differentiation, maturation and mobilisation of cells involved in the innate and adaptive immune response.