On Mar. 30, 2020, Bellerophon Therapeutics announced that expanded access treatment with the INOpulse inhaled nitric oxide system (iNO) was initiated for the first time in a patient with a diagnosis of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the University of Miami School of Medicine.

This comes after the company received emergency expanded access from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the inhaled nitric oxide system (iNO). NO is a naturally produced molecule that plays a key role in the immune response against pathogens and infections.

In-vitro studies found that NO blocks the replication of severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and improves the survival of infected cells.

The company also noted data from previous studies where NO prevented SARS-CoV replication, improved arterial oxygenation and proliferation of lung infiltrates, as well as decreased the need for ventilation support.

As the novel coronavirus is genetically similar to SARS-CoV, iNO is expected to help treat Covid-19. The company is working with the FDA to provide INOpulse to more patients at additional sites in the US. INOpulse is currently being developed for various cardiopulmonary indications.