Monoclonal antibody treatment by Eli Lilly found to cut risk of serious COVID-19, drugmaker reports

Monoclonal antibody treatment by Eli Lilly found to cut risk of serious COVID-19, drugmaker reports A study of nursing home residents found the monoclonal antibody treatment bamlanivimab cut the risk of COVID-19 by up to 80%, maker Eli Lilly announced. Karen Weintraub USA TODAY

A drug developed by Eli Lilly dramatically reduced the risk of developing symptomatic COVID-19 among nursing home residents, the company said.

Of 299 residents, half of whom received a placebo, those randomized to receive the drug bamlanivimab had up to an 80% lower risk of contracting COVID-19, according to a study that has not yet been published.

Health care providers at the same nursing homes were statistically less likely to contract symptomatic COVID-19 after receiving bamlanivimab, which was delivered in a 4,200 mg dose. Among 41 residents who already tested positive for the virus, none died after receiving the drug compared with four deaths in the placebo group.

The BLAZE-2 COVID-19 prevention trial was conducted in partnership with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Bamlanivimab, which is authorized for use in high-risk COVID-19 patients with mild to moderate disease, is a so-called monoclonal antibody – meaning it provides a manufactured version of antibodies the immune system naturally makes to fight an infection. ...