A government-sponsored clinical trial testing an antibody treatment made by the drug company Eli Lilly has been paused because of a "potential safety concern," according to emails that government officials sent on Tuesday to researchers
Covid 19 coronavirus: Trial of Eli Lilly antibody treatment paused for potential safety concerns
Eli Lilly & Co. corporate headquarters in Indianapolis. Photo / AP
In a statement sent over email, Molly McCully, a spokeswoman for Eli Lilly, confirmed the pause. "Safety is of the upmost importance to Lilly," she said. "Lilly is supportive of the decision by the independent DSMB to cautiously ensure the safety of the patients participating in this study," referring to the Data and Safety Monitoring Board.
The NIH and the VA did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Eli Lilly is one of several companies pursuing experimental treatments for Covid-19 that use monoclonal antibodies — mass-produced mimics of immune molecules the human body produces in reaction to the virus.
Eli Lilly's product is similar to a treatment designed by drug company Regeneron, which developed an antibody therapy given to President Donald Trump after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 earlier this month. Trump has promoted the treatments, without evidence, as a "cure" for his condition, and has suggested that their approval and widespread distribution could be imminent. The week after the president was treated, both companies applied for emergency clearance for their products from the Food and Drug Administration.
Antibodies can block the coronavirus from infecting cells, and preliminary data from Eli Lilly and Regeneron have hinted they may be able to tamp down the amount of virus in an infected person's body and reduce their symptoms.
Written by: Katherine J. Wu and Katie Thomas
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