Ampio Pharmaceuticals said it will conduct a phase 1 clinical trial to test its investigational pain treatment Ampion (aspartyl-alanyl diketopiperazine) as a treatment for COVID-19 patients.

The company said it believes the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug may help ease inflammation and improve patient outcomes.

Ampion is currently being developed for the treatment of pain due to osteoarthritis of the knee.