CytoDyn to Offer No-Cost Exploratory Laboratory Te
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Download as PDFMay 15, 2020 6:00am EDT
VANCOUVER, Washington, May 15, 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, today announced it is offering comprehensive cytokine profiling (including RANTES levels) through its diagnostic partner company, IncellDx, to help physicians understand the pathogenesis of Childhood Inflammatory Disease Related to COVID-19. These laboratory tests are exploratory in nature and not intended for clinical decision making.
Recent reports in parts of the U.S. and Europe suggest a rare and potentially fatal inflammatory disease linked to the novel coronavirus is afflicting a small number of children. The condition resembles a rare childhood illness called Kawasaki disease, which has similar signs and symptoms and can lead to enlargement of blood vessels that in severe forms may cause heart damage.
New York State Department of Health is investigating 110 reported cases and 3 deaths in children - predominantly school-aged - experiencing symptoms similar to Kawasaki disease and toxic shock-like syndrome, possibly due to COVID-19.
Bruce Patterson, M.D., Chief Executive Officer and founder of IncellDx, a diagnostic partner and an advisor to CytoDyn commented, “Cytokines are proteins that modulate the inflammatory response. Kawasaki disease has been previously shown to be associated with elevated levels of RANTES, a protein we have shown to be significantly elevated in mild-moderate COVID-19 and over 100 times normal in critical COVID-19 patients.”
Nader Pourhassan, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of CytoDyn added, “We hope our comprehensive cytokine testing will help physicians gain a better understanding of the disease process and, in turn, explore the prospect for leronlimab to potentially provide a therapeutic benefit to children suffering from inflammatory illness related to COVID-19.”