Eli Lilly and Company announced the
partial results in a news release; they have
not yet been published or reviewed by
independent scientists.
Its drug is similar to one that President
Donald Trump received from Regeneron
Pharmaceuticals Inc. These medicines supply
concentrated versions of specific antibodies to
help the immune system clear the coronavirus
that causes COVID-19. They’re given as a one-
time treatment through an IV.
Lilly has already started making one of the two
antibodies in its drug, betting that ongoing
studies would prove it worthwhile.
It’s not clear if the evidence will be viewed
as strong enough for the Food and Drug
Administration to grant emergency use
authorization, as it has done for the antiviral
drug remdesivir.
The results are an interim look at a mid-stage
study in which 112 people received the
antibodies and 156 got a placebo.
The amount of virus was significantly lower 11
days later in those given the drug -- the main goal
of the study. Virus also was lower at earlier time
points as well. Symptom scores were better at
three days.
About 5.8% of patients given placebo required
hospitalization or an emergency room visit
versus 0.9% of those given the antibodies.
The company said there were no serious drug-
related side effects.