European drugmaker Allero Therapeutics and Miami, Fla.-based Abbreos have teamed up to develop anti-inflammatory drugs for COVID-19 patients at risk of developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

The companies will evaluate Allero’s OroMucosal ImmunoGlobulin technology in trials set for Miami and Flanders, Belgium, next year. The therapy is designed to block cytokine storms that cause inflammation in the lungs.

Abbreos CEO Robert Buchanan says the technology also shows promise for the treatment of other autoimmune diseases.