Medical scientists clone monoclonal antibodies from unique parental cells. Drugs made from them are important cancer treatments that activate natural immune systems. Several American companies have been actively researching SARS-C0V-2 vaccine applications. National Institutes of Health published an update of these U.S. clinical trials of monoclonal antibodies on August 10, 2020.
Adults Enrolling for U.S. Clinical Trials of Monoclonal Antibodies
The COVID-19 Prevention Network of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is enrolling people for both trials. These are people it considers at risk of the disease, because they are in close contact with infected people at work or home. Moreover, NAIAID director Anthony S. Fauci believes the COVID-19 Prevention Network will play an important role in coordinating this effort.
Antibodies – whether monoclonal or natural – can bind to portions of viruses that invade other cells, and block the infection cycle. U.S. clinical trials of monoclonal antibodies could therefore lead to essential short-term protection until we have sufficient proven vaccines.
Two Trials of Monoclonal Antibodies Undergoing Testing
The first of the two U.S. clinical trials of monoclonal antibodies involves NIAID and sponsor Regeneron. They are using a special antibody that binds at two points on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Trial participants must have been in close contact with an infected person – usually at home – during the previous 96 hours. Their trial will be successful if they are still clear after a month.
The second NIAID trial, this time with Eli Lilly and Company of Indianapolis, Indiana is trialing a different group of people. They are at high risk of infection because they live, or work in skilled nursing or assisted living facilities. But their their trial will only be successful if they are still clear after two months. Both studies use control groups receiving neutral placebo doses.
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Preview Image: Antibody Binding to Virus
