An experimental HIV drug that has been used to successfully treat patients with COVID-19 is in its second phase of testing with the Food and Drug Administration, according to its manufacturer.

Leronlimab, manufactured by biotechnology company CytoDyn, has been used to treat a handful of critically ill patients in New York hospitals; a couple may have been removed from their fans.

“With a study in China showing the death rate among COVID-19 patients requiring a mechanical ventilator at over 85%, the world is in desperate need of therapy that can help this patient population,” said Nader Pourhassan, CEO of CytoDyn, in a press release.

Early studies suggest that leronlimab may reduce the overactive immune response, known as a cytokine storm, which can be triggered by coronavirus infection. Cytokine storms can cause pneumonia and even death.

” [I] cried for about five minutes. It was very, very moving, “Pourhassan told Seattle’s KIRO 7 News after learning the results. “We hope we can save millions of lives. “