Neutralizing Antibody Combo Reduced Risk of COVID-19 Hospitalizations and Death by 70%

Eli Lilly announced when its neutralizing antibodies Bamlanivimab (LY-CoV555) 2800 mg and etesevimab (LY-CoV016) 2800 mg are taken together, the combination significantly reduced COVID-19-related hospitalizations and deaths in high-risk patients recently diagnosed with COVID-19.

Across 1,035 patients in the Phase 3 BLAZE-1 trial, there were 11 events (2.1%) in patients taking therapy and 36 events (7%) in patients taking placebo, representing a 70 percent risk reduction (p= 0.0004).  Bamlanivimab and etesevimab also demonstrated statistically significant improvements on all key secondary endpoints, providing strong evidence that the therapy reduced viral load and accelerated symptom resolution.

Daniel Skovronsky, M.D., Ph.D., Lilly's chief scientific officer and president of Lilly Research Laboratories, said in a press release issued on January 26, 2021, "These data further support our belief that bamlanivimab and etesevimab together have the potential to be an important treatment that significantly reduces hospitalizations and death in high-risk COVID-19 patients."

"Notably, the 70 percent decrease in risk of hospitalizations or death seen in this Phase 3 trial of bamlanivimab and etesevimab together is consistent with the reduction in risk of hospitalization or ER visits seen with bamlanivimab alone in the Phase 2 trial."

"Bamlanivimab alone is authorized for emergency use as a treatment for high-risk patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 in the U.S. and widely available for use," Dr. Skovronsky added.

Furthermore, Lilly stated it has a robust, global supply chain to produce its neutralizing antibodies, with numerous manufacturing sites worldwide, and the supply is expected to increase substantially in 2021. Lilly continues to accelerate the manufacturing of etesevimab in collaboration with Amgen, providing up to 1 million doses of etesevimab for administration with bamlanivimab by mid-2021 – including more than 250,000 doses in the first quarter – for use around the world.