CytoDyn Inc says five coronavirus patients able to go off oxygen after taking leronlimab; 12 treated so far in Phase 2 trial

CytoDyn Inc (OTCQB:CYDY), which has been utilizing its flagship drug candidate leronlimab as a treatment for the coronavirus (COVID-19), told investors Monday that the first five patients with mild-to-moderate symptoms given the drug were able to be taken off oxygen after treatment.  So far, the company has treated more than 30 patients at four hospitals and clinics with authorization from the US Food and Drug Administration under Emergency Investigational New Drug applications. The company has received requests from 25 hospitals all over the country. CytoDyn is also conducting a pair of medical trials of its drug, one for coronavirus patients with mild-to-moderate symptoms and another for patients with severe symptoms.  READ: CytoDyn says severe coronavirus patients treated with leronlimab drug show significant improvement Twelve patients have begun treatment in the Phase 2 mild-to-moderate trial so far, but because it is a double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, results are not yet available.  The company added that a site has been cleared to enroll patients in Phase 2b/3 severe trial starting today. The trial is for 390 patients and will be double-blinded with a 2:1 drug to placebo ratio. Patients are expected to be given leronlimab for two weeks, and the primary endpoint of the study is the mortality rate after 28 days. “We continue to coordinate around the clock with healthcare professionals across the country to deliver leronlimab to patients, and we are in regular contact with the FDA to ensure they receive current patient data,” CEO Nader Pourhassan said in a statement. “We are planning to rapidly enroll 75 patients and report the results to the FDA as quickly as possible.” Contact Andrew Kessel at andrew.kessel@proactiveinvestors.com  Follow him on Twitter @andrew_kessel