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- Samsung BioLogics Co Ltd stated it is mass-producing a COVID-19 antibody medication.
- The FDA affirmed the drug ‘bamlanivimab’ after clinical trials manifested a reduced demand for hospitalization.
- Samsung said it has a long-term production agreement with Lilly.
Seoul, THDNewsDesk: On Tuesday, Samsung BioLogics Co Ltd stated it is mass-producing a COVID-19 antibody medication developed by Eli Lilly and Co. Last week, the United States started administering the drug after emergency-use permission.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) affirmed the drug ‘bamlanivimab’ initially this month after clinical trials manifested. It decreased the demand for hospitalization or emergency room visits in COVID-19 patients considerable risk of disease progression.
The FDA stated the drug could be taken by people aged 65 and over who have newly diagnosed mild-to-moderate COVID-19. Also, those aged 12 and over who have serious health conditions putting them at jeopardy of severe illness.
Lilly tries to produce up to one million doses by the year-end for global use through early next year. It demands supply to grow substantially from the first quarter of 2021 as new production supplies come online.
Samsung stated it has a long-term production agreement with Lilly. It did not reveal details.
The South Korean firm stated it originally strived to ensure raw materials due to pinching supplies. It propelled the technology transference method, enabling it to start shipments to Lilly five months after admitting a manufacturing deal in May.
The drug is a monoclonal antibody – a broadly used class of biotech drugs, a devised replica of an antibody the human body produces to battle infection.
Other possible antibody treatments developed for COVID-19 patients include one by U.S. drugmaker Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. It was taken by for treating U.S. President Donald Trump’s diagnosis last month.
Source- https://in.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-samsung-biologic-l-idINKBN27X046