Eli Lilly reports a reduced rate of hospitalization for coronavirus patients using its antibody treatment
In this May 2020 photo provided by Eli Lilly, researchers prepare mammalian cells to produce possible COVID-19 antibodies for testing in a laboratory in Indianapolis.
David Morrison | Eli Lilly via AP
LONDON — Eli Lilly announced on Wednesday it had found proof of concept data from an interim analysis of the BLAZE-1 clinical trial that showed a reduced rate of hospitalization for coronavirus patients treated with its neutralizing antibody drug.
“These interim data from the BLAZE-1 trial suggest that LY-CoV555, an antibody specifically directed against SARS-CoV-2, has a direct antiviral effect and may reduce COVID-related hospitalizations,” Daniel Skovronsky, Lilly’s chief scientific officer and president of Lilly Research Laboratories, said in a statement.
“The results reinforce our conviction that neutralizing antibodies can help in the fight against COVID-19,” Skovronsky said.
