Doctors in a hospital have used a brand new drug called RLF-100, also called aviptadil, which has resulted in rapid recovery from respiratory failure in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

The drug has been approved by the FDA for emergency use at multiple clinical sites in patients that are too sick to input the FDA's Stage 2/3 trials.

Houston Methodist Hospital has been the first to report that the rapid retrieval of patients on ventilators and people with acute medical conditions after three days of treatment.

Aviptadil is a formula of Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide (VIP), which is present in large concentrations in the lungs and also proven to block different inflammatory cytokines. NeuroRx and Relief Therapeutics have partnered to create the drug.

According to a statement from the drug maker NeuroRX, independent scientists have reported that aviptadil blocked replication of the SARS coronavirus in cells and monocytes.

<span style="color: #ff6600;"><a style="color: #ff6600;" href="https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/new-drug-rlf-100-shows-dramatic-results-for-critical-covid-19-patients-5652591.html">According to the report, a 54-year-old guy who contracted COVID-19 while being treated for rejection of a double lung transplant came off a ventilator in four days. And, similar effects were seen in more than 15 patients.</a></span>

The drug seemed to have rapidly cleared pneumonitis findings on an X-ray, improved blood oxygen and a 50 per cent or higher average decrease in laboratory markers associated with COVID-19 inflammation, the announcement said.

"No other anti inflammatory agent has demonstrated rapid recovery from viral infection and demonstrated laboratory inhibition of viral replication," said Prof. Jonathan Javitt, CEO and Chairman of NeuroRx.

"We are running placebo-controlled trials to see if the observations made from the case-control and open-label studies will likely be verified for less ill patients with COVID-19-related respiratory collapse. Our independent Data Monitoring Committee will be conducting an interim evaluation of these data later this month," Javitt explained.