BRYAN WOOD: The US Food and Drug Administration
on Monday granted the emergency use
of the first experimental antibody
treatment for COVID-19.
Eli Lilly's bamlanivimab is a monoclonal antibody,
or a synthetic copy of an antibody
used by the immune system to fight infection.
The US government has purchased 300,000 doses
of the drug, which the company said it will
begin shipping immediately.
There will be no out-of-pocket costs for patients,
according to US officials, although health care
facilities may charge an administration fee.
Trial data showed that a one time infusion of Eli Lilly's
treatment reduced the need for hospitalization
or emergency room visits in high risk COVID-19 patients.
US regulators have authorized Eli Lilly's treatment
for patients who have been recently diagnosed
with mild to moderate COVID-19, over the age of 65,
and for patients 12 and older who have
an underlying health condition.
The treatment will not be used on patients already
hospitalized or who require oxygen therapy,
as a US government-sponsored study
found it could worsen the clinical outcome
in these cases.
In an emailed statement, the White House hailed the FDA's
decision as a major milestone.
US President Donald Trump received a similar treatment
created by Regeneron after he was
diagnosed with the coronavirus in early October.
Regeneron is currently seeking emergency
approval for a dual antibody treatment against COVID-19.
Meanwhile, Eli Lilly anticipates manufacturing up
to 1 million doses of bamlanivimab
by the end of 2020 for use around the world
through early next year.