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UPMC officials hope for clinical antibody trials by end of year

An antibody that is believed to not only be able to prevent COVID-19 from attacking the body but to also “destroy” the virus without causing side effects will be administered to all UPMC systems and facilities — including locally — once it is safe and ready for patient use.

Steve Johnson, UPMC Susquehanna president, Rutul Dalal, UPMC Susquehanna medical director of infectious diseases and David Lopatofsky, chief medical officer, shared their thoughts about UPMC’s remarkable discovery of the Ab8 monoclonal antibody on Tuesday, including information about human trials as well as the administration of research and the drug at all UPMC facilities once completed.

“That is the UPMC way,” Lopatofsky said. “The deployment of scientific breakthroughs are equal.”

The timeline on when the antibodies will be able to be administered to patients is yet to be determined, though human clinical trials should hopefully start before the end of the year, according to UPMC professionals.

“One of the things that is really remarkable with the relationship between the scientists and the research center … (is) the rapid rate at which we can take the science that is developed and how we can apply it to our communities,” Johnson said.

He added that — from developing at the scientific work bench to applying the science to patients safely and effectively — the process normally takes 17 years.

“The UPMC model allows us to move this science to the patient bed in considerably shorter times,” he added. “We will learn a lot through the human trials … to determine what kind of dosages, different types of administration, how it can be commercialized.”

He also said that it is “probable” that doctors and scientists from local hospitals will also be able to participate in the research with Pittsburgh staff.

Though there are still many unknowns with Ab8, one thing is for sure: “It is a phenomenal antibody,” Dalal said. “It attaches to the heavy component and completely neutralizes it and destroys it.”

He added that Ab8 is “specific to the virus” in that it is expected to not cause further complications or side effects and that its size, which is 10 times smaller than the average antibody, allows it to be “promising” and effective.

“It is a big stride in our fight against COVID,” Dalal said.

“Having a treatment regimen like this is incredibly important and will save many lives,” Johnson continued.

The antibody will also be able to be given to patients in a variety of ways including through inhalation or through intravenously.

Dalal also said that this is not an antibody or drug that would need to be given on a daily or even weekly basis.

“It will stay in the system for a while,” he said.

Until Ab8 is completed, other treatments like steroids, convalescent plasma and remdesivir will continue to be given to patients to remain controlled in the safety of the local hospitals Dalal said.

“We are blessed with great collaborators (UPMC Susquehanna and Pittsburgh),” he said. “We have it (COVID-19) controlled in our area.”

The region “is having the best of both worlds,” Johnson said. “There are hospitals that have been serving communities for over 140 years and immediate availability of world class science. It is a huge benefit to the citizens in our region.”

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