Diffusion Pharma Climbs After Completing Early-Stage TSC Study In COVID-19 Patients

Diffusion Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: DFFN) announces topline data from Phase 1b trial evaluating trans sodium crocetinate ("TSC") in hospitalized COVID-19 patients with confirmed hypoxemia, the most common cause of tissue hypoxia (deprived of adequate oxygen supply at the tissue level).
On Friday, the external safety monitoring committee met to review safety data from the final 1.5 mg/kg dose cohort. It determined that no dose-limiting toxicities or serious adverse events were observed. Evaluation of secondary endpoint data is ongoing and will be available early in the second quarter of 2021.
As previously announced, the company plans two additional studies. The first study (TCOM Study) will measure the effects of TSC on peripheral tissue oxygen delivery using a device called a transcutaneous oximeter, or TCOM, in healthy volunteers. The study will start by the end of this quarter, and data anticipated by the third quarter of 2021.
The second study (DLCO Study) will measure the effects of TSC on the lungs' ability to transfer gas from inspired air to the bloodstream, using carbon monoxide as a surrogate for oxygen. The study will commence in the second quarter of 2021, and data will be available by the end of this year.
Price Action: DFFN stock jumped 18.6% at $1.47 in premarket trading on the last check Tuesday.