Partner Therapeutics Lands $35 Million DOD Contract for Leukine as COVID-19 Treatment

Massachusetts-based Partner Therapeutics has secured a $35 million contract from the Department of Defense for clinical trials of inhaled Leukine (sargramostim) for the treatment of COVID-19 patients with acute hypoxemia.

The contract will fund two phase 2 trials of the drug in the U.S., the first of which is slated to begin this month. The contract will also support regulatory filings for a possible Emergency Use Authorization and expanded production capacity.

Leukine is a recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (rhuGM-CSF) that stimulates an immune response. The drug is currently in clinical testing in Belgium and Singapore for the treatment of respiratory illness associated with COVID-19. — Jordan Williams