CytoDyn Files FDA-Suggested Modifications to IND and Protocol for Phase 2 Clinical Trial for COVID-19 Patients with Mild to Moderate Indications and a Second Randomized Protocol for All COVID-19 Patients in Severe Condition Will be Filed Next Week per FDA

VANCOUVER, Washington, March 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CytoDyn Inc. (OTC.QB: CYDY), (“CytoDyn” or the “Company"), a late-stage biotechnology company developing leronlimab (PRO 140), a CCR5 antagonist with the potential for multiple therapeutic indications, announced today that, at the suggestion of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Company filed another round of modifications to its IND and protocol for a Phase 2 clinical trial with leronlimab (PRO 140). In addition, the FDA suggested the Company file a second randomized protocol for all COVID-19 patients in severe condition, so as to preclude each physician from filing an emergency IND for every patient to be treated with leronlimab.

The treatment with leronlimab is targeted as a therapy for patients who experience respiratory complications as a result of contracting SARS-CoV-2 causing the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Leronlimab is believed to provide therapeutic benefit by enhancing the immune response while mitigating the “cytokine storm” that leads to morbidity and mortality in these patients. 

The first Phase 2 clinical trial that was filed on March 26 is a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of leronlimab in patients with mild to moderate documented COVID-19 illness and calls for 75 planned patients in up to 10 centers in the United States. Patients enrolled in the trial are expected to have a treatment window of approximately 6 weeks.

Jacob Lalezari, M.D., Interim Chief Medical Officer for CytoDyn, said, “We are grateful for the responsiveness of the FDA and very pleased that the same New York medical center currently treating severely ill COVID-19 patients with leronlimab under emergency access has agreed to take the lead on initiating this randomized Phase 2 trial in patients with mild to moderate illness."

Nader Pourhassan, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of CytoDyn said, “On behalf of all COVID-19 patients, we are thankful for the FDA’s responsiveness and their ability to provide timely guidance in order to collaboratively finalize our Phase 2 trial protocols. We will now also immediately file a second trial protocol, per the FDA’s suggestion, for severely ill COVID-19 patients.”

About Coronavirus Disease 2019
SARS-CoV-2 was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. The origin of SARS-CoV-2 causing the COVID-19 disease is uncertain, and the virus is highly contagious. COVID-19 typically transmits person to person through respiratory droplets, commonly resulting from coughing, sneezing, and close personal contact. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing illness in people and others that circulate among animals. For confirmed COVID-19 infections, symptoms have included fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure. Clinical manifestations in patients have ranged from non-existent to severe and fatal. At this time, there are minimal treatment options for COVID-19.