Ampio Pharmaceuticals' shares traded higher after the company reported that the FDA cleared the firm to proceed with human trials of its Investigative New Drug application for intravenous AmpionTM for treatment in COVID-19 affected patients on supplemental oxygen.
Biopharmaceutical company Ampio Pharmaceuticals Inc. (AMPE:NYSE.American), which is engaged in advancing immunology-based therapies for prevalent inflammatory conditions including developing therapies for patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19), today announced that "The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) completed its review of the Company's Investigative New Drug (IND) application for intravenous (IV) AmpionTM treatment for COVID-19 affected patients and has cleared the company to proceed with human trials."
The firm advised that it will be starting a Phase 1 clinical study to evaluate IV Ampion as a treatment for COVID-19 patients on supplemental oxygen. The company advised that "the need for supplemental oxygen in COVID-19 patients is indicative of an inflammatory process in the lungs and that as an immunomodulatory anti-inflammatory agent, Ampion may be effective in interrupting the inflammatory cascade associated with COVID-19 and improving the clinical course and outcome of patients."
The company further explained that "years of extensive in-vitro studies on cell cultures have confirmed that the mechanism of action of Ampion may be suitable for the treatment of inflammatory conditions, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome and the cytokine storm, associated with COVID-19."
Ampio Pharmaceuticals is a development stage biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Englewood, Colo. The firm concentrates it efforts mostly on developing its Ampion product candidate to address the treatment of prevalent inflammatory conditions for which currently there are limited treatment options. The company stated that "its lead drug, Ampion, is backed by an extensive patent portfolio with intellectual property protection extending through 2032, and will be eligible for 12-year FDA market exclusivity upon approval as a novel biologic under the biologics price competition and innovation act." In addition to treating inflammatory conditions, the company states on its website that it is also developing compounds to address several other areas of significant unmet medical needs in the areas of osteoarthritis and diabetic macular edema.
Ampio Pharmaceuticals has a market capitalization of around $94.0 million with approximately 164.9 million shares outstanding and a short interest of about 7.7%. AMPE shares opened 40% higher today at $0.81 (+$0.57, +42.11%) over yesterday's $0.57 closing price. The stock has traded today between $0.6062 and $0.85 per share and is currently trading at $0.6339 (+$0.0639, +11.21%).
Disclosure:
1) Stephen Hytha compiled this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an independent contractor. He or members of his household own securities of the following companies mentioned in the article: None. He or members of his household are paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None.
2) The following companies mentioned in this article are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports: None. Click here for important disclosures about sponsor fees.
3) Comments and opinions expressed are those of the specific experts and not of Streetwise Reports or its officers. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security.
4) The article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. This article is not a solicitation for investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company mentioned on Streetwise Reports.
5) From time to time, Streetwise Reports LLC and its directors, officers, employees or members of their families, as well as persons interviewed for articles and interviews on the site, may have a long or short position in securities mentioned. Directors, officers, employees or members of their immediate families are prohibited from making purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise from the time of the interview or the decision to write an article until three business days after the publication of the interview or article. The foregoing prohibition does not apply to articles that in substance only restate previously published company releases.
6) This article does not constitute medical advice. Officers, employees and contributors to Streetwise Reports are not licensed medical professionals. Readers should always contact their healthcare professionals for medical advice.