Eli Lilly Ends Coronavirus Antibody Treatment Trial, Other Studies Go On

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In this May 2020 file photo provided by Eli Lilly, a researcher tests possible COVID-19 antibodies in a laboratory in Indianapolis. On Monday, U.S. government officials announced they are putting an early end to a study testing an Eli Lilly antibody drug for people hospitalized with COVID-19 because it doesn’t seem to help.

David Morrison/AP

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David Morrison/AP

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Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly Pause COVID-19 Drug Trials

The decision to end this particular study does not put an end to Lilly’s investment in the experimental therapy. In fact, company officials said they «remain confident … that bamlanivimab monotherapy may prevent progression of disease for those earlier in the course of COVID-19.»

The company and the NIH are pursuing several additional trials involving the antibody, which is designed to stop the virus from infecting cells. All target patients in less advanced stages of the disease.

• monoclonal antibody
• ACTIV-3
• bamlanivimab
• remdesivir
• Eli Lilly