DUBLIN – Could a recombinant human protein drug rejected by Glaxosmithkline plc in 2019 benefit patients with COVID-19 infection? Apeiron Biologics AG disclosed Wednesday Feb. 26 that an investigator-initiated pilot study of APN-01 is getting underway in Guangzhou, China.

The U.S. FDA has given its nod to Novalung, a heart and lung support system from Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA) for the treatment of acute respiratory or cardiopulmonary failure. The Waltham, Mass.-based company noted that Novalung is the first extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) system to be cleared for more than six hours of use.

Shares of Bellerophon Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:BLPH), rescued from potential delisting by a recent reverse stock split, shot 168.4% higher to $9.20 on Feb. 18 as new top-line data from a small phase II study showed its inhaled nitric oxide delivery system, Inopulse, delivered significant improvements in blood flow for people with pulmonary hypertension (PH) associated with pulmonary fibrosis (PF).