On May 5, 2020, Diffusion Pharmaceuticals announced the FDA accelerated its review of the Companyﾒs clinical development plan using trans sodium crocetinate (TSC) in COVID-19 patients displaying severe respiratory symptoms and low oxygen levels.

Development of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is common in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 due to lack of sufficient oxygen to vital organs as a consequence of impedance in the lungs. Diffusion believes that TSCﾒs novel oxygen-enhancing mechanism of action could provide an important new treatment option for this life-threatening condition.