PureTech Selects Experimental COVID-19 Treatment for Human Trials

PureTech Health said it will begin human trials on an experimental treatment for respiratory complications following recovery from COVID-19 infections.

The treatment, LYT-100 (deupirfenidone), is an analog of the pulmonary fibrosis treatment pirfenidone. It is designed to reduce, delay or prevent the lung dysfunction that has been documented in COVID-19 patients, including in those who have recovered.

The company began a phase 1 trial of the treatment in March, testing its safety and tolerability in healthy participants. It plans to begin a global clinical trial in the third quarter of the year, testing the treatment in 150 noncritical COVID-19 patients. Topline results of the trial are expected by mid-2021. — Jordan Williams