By Tony Winterburn • Published: 02 May 2020 • 11:59
IT is hoped antibodies built up by the recovered person can be transferred to others to help them defeat the virus. The transfusion would, theoretically, boost the new patient’s struggling immune system by providing plasma rich in the antibodies needed to fight the virus.
Dr Manu Shankar-Hari, a critical care consultant at London’s Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital where the trials are being run, said: “What we are doing is to give you instantaneous protection against the virus using an antibody that is developed by patients who recover from the virus.
“So, the hope is that the viral clearance or the taking away of the virus in the body will be quicker by giving this treatment.”
Talking about the trials, health secretary Matt Hancock said thousands of patients could potentially benefit. “The UK has world-leading life sciences and research sectors and I have every hope this treatment will be a major milestone in our fight against this disease,” he said.
Share this story
Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox!
By signing up, you will create a Euro Weekly News account if you don't already have one. Review our Privacy Policy for more information about our privacy practices.
Share your story with us by emailing newsdesk@euroweeklynews.com, by calling +34 951 38 61 61 or by messaging our Facebook page www.facebook.com/EuroWeeklyNews
By signing up, you will create a Euro Weekly News account if you don’t already have one. Review our Privacy Policy for more information about our privacy practices.
Download our media pack in either English or Spanish.