The FDA on Wednesday approved for emergency use an antibody treatment for Covid-19 patients developed by pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly. The treatment, which combines bamlanivimab and etsevimab, two synthetic antibodies, reduced hospitalizations and deaths by 70% among high-risk patients in studies conducted by the drugmaker.
The emergency use authorization was granted for use in mild to moderate Covid-19 patients aged 12 and older who are at high risk of the illness progressing and requiring hospitalization. Thus, like all monoclonal antibody treatments, early treatment is key.
In a statement, Eli Lilly said that they have 100,000 doses of the treatment ready to go, and an additional 150,000 doses will be available “throughout the first quarter” of 2021.
Lakewood has seen a recent uptick in the number of severe coronavirus cases, especially among young expectant women, and many have been given access to monoclonal antibody treatments with the help of Bikur Cholim and the Covid Plasma Initiative. However, the supply of monoclonal antibody treatments have been in short supply, as relatively few doses were available to treat the high number of high-risk patients across the US. It is expected that the authorization by the FDA of the Eli Lilly treatment will have a very positive effect on the monoclonal antibody supply chain, and it will become available to more patients in the near future.
Bikur Cholim can be contacted by calling 732-905-3020. The Covid Plasma Initiative can be reached by calling 828-4-PLASMA.
I got COVID, made the FDA criteria by 3 pounds, was able to get the monoclonal antibodies- Thank you Covid Plasma Initiative & Bikur Cholim for your help. I felt SO much better after a day- it’s Magical!!! If you qualify- run and get.
would you rather a game changer? or a game over? why can’t the state get more vaccines over to the counties and down to the school districts?