Lilly Begins World’s First Study of a Potential COVID-19 Antibody Treatment in Humans

“Lilly scientists delivered the first doses of our potential #COVID19 antibody treatment, flown to hospitals in several U.S. cities to start the world’s first human study of this kind of therapy to fight COVID infections.” @lillypad

  • First patients have been dosed in a Phase 1 study of LY-CoV555, the lead antibody from Lilly’s collaboration with AbCellera
  • The placebo-controlled study will assess safety and tolerability in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 with results anticipated by the end of June
  • Should Phase 1 results show the antibody can be safely administered, Lilly will initiate a Phase 2 proof of concept study to assess efficacy in vulnerable populationsContinue reading

Merck to Announce Multiple Scientific Efforts to Combat COVID-19

Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, will today announce three significant scientific initiatives to combat COVID-19: two agreements to develop potential vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, and a research collaboration to advance the development of a novel antiviral candidate. Today’s announcements are:

  • Merck to acquire Themis Bioscience, a company focused on vaccines and immune-modulation therapies for infectious diseases, including COVID-19;
  • IAVI and Merck collaborate to develop vaccine against COVID-19;
  • Merck and Ridgeback Bio collaborate to advance development of an oral antiviral candidate for COVID-19, EIDD-2801.

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