Diffusion Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced it has dosed the first patients in its ILD-DLCO Trial. The trial will evaluate the Company’s lead product candidate, trans sodium crocetinate (“TSC”), in patients with previously diagnosed interstitial lung disease (“ILD”). The ILD-DLCO Trial is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study which will evaluate the effects of TSC on the diffusion of carbon monoxide through the lungs (“DLCO”) in patients with previously diagnosed interstitial lung disease who have a baseline DLCO test result that is abnormal. DLCO will act as a surrogate measure of oxygen transfer efficiency, or uptake, from the alveoli of the lungs through the plasma, and onto hemoglobin within red blood cells. Diffusion intends to enroll 27 patients with confirmed ILD who will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio to a single 2.5mg/kg dose of TSC or placebo via IV bolus. The study is statistically powered to evaluate the difference in effect of TSC versus placebo on improvement in DLCO measurements. In addition, patients will undergo a standard six-minute walk test intended to assess functional improvement in exercise capacity. Diffusion anticipates completing the trial in the first quarter of 2022, with topline results reported within two months of study completion.