Eli Lilly has begun a phase 3 trial of its monoclonal antibody LY-CoV555 for prevention of COVID-19 in residents and staff at long-term care facilities in the U.S. (skilled nursing facilities, commonly referred to as nursing homes, and assisted living facilities).
LY-CoV555, the lead antibody from Lilly’s collaboration with AbCellera, is a neutralizing IgG1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. It is designed to block viral attachment and entry into human cells, thus neutralizing the virus, potentially preventing and treating COVID-19.
The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 among residents of long-term care facilities combined with the higher mortality rate for the elderly creates the urgent need for therapies to prevent COVID-19 in this vulnerable population.
The study will test if a single dose reduces the rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection through four weeks and COVID-19 complications through eight weeks. It will enroll up to 2,400 residents and staff at facilities that have had a recently diagnosed case of COVID-19 and who are at a high risk of exposure.
The trial will be conducted in collaboration with the NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
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