The Pittsburgh company, CytoAgents, received a $1.6 million grant to develop a drug that could help treat COVID-19
https://www.wtae.com/article/coronavirus-what-we-know-and-what-we-don-t-explained/32493740
The biotech company is located on Pittsburgh’s North Side.
CytoAgents was awarded a National Institutes of Health grant for the drug called GP1618.
“This is so exciting. This is a critical milestone for CytoAgents and an excellent example between a collaboration between the National Institute of Health and the private sector to accelerate innovation,” said Whalen.
Scientists said when a person gets sick from viruses, their symptoms are triggered by a cytokine storm.
Whalen said, “The cytokine storm is an overreaction of our immune system, driving severe illness. Our drug calms that cytokine storm, reducing inflammation and restoring balance and allowing our patients to recover.”
Whalen said the drug would help with COVID-19, influenza and other respiratory illnesses.
“We have incredible trust in the promise of our drug. Pittsburgh has such a long history of excellence with health care system and world renown academic institutions and it’s really a privilege to be part of that ecosystem,” said Whalen.
She said the drug could also stop overcrowding at hospitals by getting patients off ventilators and out of the ICU.
Whalen said clinical trials could start in August and the drug could be available by the beginning of next year.