An antibody drug is the latest in news of coronavirus prevention. Drugmaker Eli Lilly believes that its antibody drug has helped to prevent illness within nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
Emergency use of the antibody treatment was authorized by US regulators last year; however, the treatment was only permitted for mild or moderate cases that did not require hospitalization. This treatment is administered as singular dose through IV.
Within the study, the National Institutes of Health observed over 1,000 residents and staff members of nursing homes and long-term care facilities. This population is less than 1% of the population but accounts for 40% of deaths from the virus.
Eli Lilly announced Thursday that residents and staff administered the drug had up to a 57% lower risk of contracting the virus in comparison to residents who received the placebo. Additionally, an 80% risk reduction was found among residents of nursing homes.
The results of the study were given during a press release along with the promise for further details to be publish in a journal.
The company plans to work with regulators in an effort to expand authorization of the drug for prevention and treatment of COVID-19 in long-term care facilities and nursing homes. While vaccines are already beginning to be administered within these populations, many believe that these drugs would be effective in managing the virus until vaccines are more widely available.
