By Juliano Oliveira
COVID-19 patients in serious conditions may be treated with plasma collected from those who have recovered from the virus.
Federal Department of Health has announced that potential donors will be invited by Australian Red Cross Lifeblood. The plasma to be collected is high in antibodies, which is vital in fighting the virus
As soon these antibodies are handed to scientists, it will be purified and concentrated to make COVID-19 Immunoglobulin.
“People in the community who have recovered from COVID-19 infection and are able to donate plasma have the opportunity to contribute to the development of these treatments, each of which could provide a valuable addition to treating people who may have become infected with the virus,” affirms the department.
It is necessary 800 plasma donations to treat 50 to 100 people seriously ill with COVID-19 complications within the clinical trial.
The production of COVID-19 Immunoglobulin will be in Victoria. It will be developed and manufactured at the CSL Behring Australia advanced manufacturing facility in Broadmeadows.