Drugmaker asking federal regulators to expand its use.
Eli Lilly & Co. has reported its antibody-based drug prevented COVID-19 among many residents and staff of nursing homes and assisted-living facilities. They said results point to the drug complementing vaccines while inoculations increase.
The drug, called bamlanivimab, reduced the risk of both staff and residents getting sick with COVID-19 by about 57% compared with a placebo, Lilly said Thursday. The effect was more pronounced among residents, the company said, an 80% reduction in risk of the virus.
The company said it would ask U.S. health regulators to widen the drug’s authorized use to include protecting people in long-term care facilities. They see its potential for a new preventative weapon that could augment the vaccination effort in helping to stem the pandemic. The drug was given authorization for emergency use as a treatment of COVID-19 by the Food and Drug Administration in November.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For U.S. scientists and health officials as additional coronavirus drugs are vetted and authorized.
- For the FDA and other federal healthcare oversight agencies as they look into the new claims made by Eli Lilly & Co.
- For individuals and families across America who are suffering from the virus, and for those who have lost loved ones.
Sources: Wall Street Journal, NPR
