"However, in my view, given that we know ABL is safe, the urgency of the situation merits skipping the animal work (as the Oxford group did with dexamethasone, for example, although I know it's not an identical situation)."

Yeah, not the best comparison. Dexamethasone, and other drugs that are already approved by the FDA and drug agencies in other countries for non-COVID indications, have the luxury of already passing clinical/regulatory benchmarks and being widely known, used and trusted by patients, doctors, hospitals, investigators, etc. Not the same for apabetalone and other drugs still in clinical development.

BDAZ