Deaconess has received a newly-released COVID-19 treatment for use in mild-to-moderate COVID-19 patients who are at high risk of progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization.
The new treatment is called bamlanivimab and is administered via infusion.
Bamlanivimab is a "monoclonal antibody treatment" for COVID-19 that received Emergency Use Authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Nov. 9.
According to the FDA:
"Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made proteins that mimic the immune system’s ability to fight off harmful antigens such as viruses. Bamlanivimab is a monoclonal antibody that is specifically directed against the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, designed to block the virus’ attachment and entry into human cells."
Indiana initially received 2,750 initial doses of the treatment within the last week, and Deaconess received 180 of those doses on Friday.
While Deaconess says it has the ability to treat up to 33 patients per day, the treatment is being targeted towards COVID-19 positive patients who are at high risk of severe disease/hospitalization due to the treatment's limited supply.
“Bamlanivimab is one of the tools that will hopefully help reduce hospitalization numbers and save lives," said Dr. Brad Scheu, Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, Deaconess Clinic. "However, there are limited amounts of this medication available, and bamlanivimab alone will not offset rising case numbers and hospitalizations we are already experiencing. We need the community to make every effort to reduce infection rates and spread by limiting gatherings, wearing masks, washing hands, and maintaining social distance."
Bamlanivimab is manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company.
You can find out more information on bamlanivimab from the FDA by clicking here.
More information on the FDA's Emergency Use Authorization of bamlanivimab can be found here.
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