Lilly Begins COVID-19 Antibody Treatment Study

Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE: LLY) has begun what it says is
the world’s first study of a potential antibody treatment for COVID-19. The
study is part of a
<www.insideindianabusiness.com/story/41891834/lilly-abcellera-agree-
to-develop-covid19-antibody> previously-announced collaboration with
AbCellera, a startup based in Vancouver specializing in antibody drugs.

Lilly says the investigational medicine, known as LY-CoV555, is the first
potential new medicine designed specifically to target the virus that causes
COVID-19. It has been given to patients at several major U.S. medical
centers, including the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and Cedars-Sinai in
Los Angeles.

“We are privileged to help usher in this new era of drug development with
the first potential new medicine specifically designed to attack the virus,”
said Daniel Skovronsky, chief scientific officer for Lilly and president of
Lilly Research Laboratories. “Antibody therapies such as LY-CoV555 may have
potential for both prevention and treatment of COVID-19 and may be
particularly important for groups hardest hit by the disease such as the
elderly and those with compromised immune systems.”

Skovronsky says researchers will review the results of the study later this
month with plans to begin broader efficacy trials. He says manufacturing of
the therapy is also beginning on a large scale.

“If LY-CoV555 becomes part of the near-term solution for COVID-19, we want
to be ready to deliver it to patients as quickly as possible, with the goal
of having several hundred thousand doses available by the end of the year.”

Lilly says if the study’s Phase 1 results show the antibody can be
administered safely, the company plans to move to the next phase, which will
include studying the therapy in non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The
company also plans to study a preventative use for the drug.