A scanning electron microscope image of SARS-CoV-2 emerging from the surface of cells cultured in the lab. Picture: AFP/NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH/NIAD-RML/HANDOUT
Lilly’s mid-stage study tested three different doses of LY-CoV555, an antibody treatment designed to recognise and lock onto the novel coronavirus, thus preventing the infection from spreading. Many companies including Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Vir Biotechnology are also testing antibody treatments for Covid-19. The drugs are the first to be designed specifically to fight Covid-19.
Only the middle dose, of 2,800mg, achieved the trial’s main goal of reducing the viral load detected in patients compared to a placebo 11 days after treatment, Lilly said.Lilly said it expects to publish the results of the interim analysis in a peer-reviewed journal and discuss appropriate next steps with global regulators.