Plasma-Derived Therapy Alliance Expands Membership

Takeda TAK-888 anti-SARS-CoV-2 polyclonal hyperimmune immunoglobulin therapy has the potential to treat serious COVID-19 disease patients
covid-19 blood vial to help treat others
(Precision Vaccinations News)

An alliance formed by CSL Behring and Takeda Pharmaceutical to develop a potential plasma-derived therapy for treating COVID-19 disease announced new members

On April 6, 2020, Takeda issued a press release stating Biotest, BPL, LFB, and Octapharma have joined this innovative alliance. 

The alliance will begin the investigational development of one, unbranded anti-SARS-CoV-2 polyclonal hyperimmune immunoglobulin medicine with the potential to treat individuals with serious complications from COVID-19 disease.

This disease is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, initially diagnosed during December 2019.

Developing a hyperimmune will require plasma donation from many individuals who have fully recovered from COVID-19, and whose blood contains antibodies that can fight the novel coronavirus.

Once collected, the “convalescent” plasma would then be transported to manufacturing facilities where it undergoes proprietary processing, including effective virus inactivation and removal processes, and then is purified into the product.

“Unprecedented times call for bold moves,” said Julie Kim, President of Plasma-Derived Therapies Business Unit, Takeda, in this press statement. 

“We collectively agree that by collaborating and bringing industry resources together, we could accelerate bringing a potential therapy to market as well as increase the potential supply.” 

“We invite companies and institutions focusing on plasma to support or join our alliance.”

In March 2020, Takeda said its blood plasma-derived therapy has the potential to be among the first approved treatments for the deadly pathogen.

This is because Takeda’s treatment involves a process that already has approval from regulators. 

On March 25, 2020, a Takeda press release said 'Due to the global impact of COVID-19, Takeda is placing a temporary pause on the initiation of new studies with the exception of TAK-888 our investigational plasma-derived therapy for COVID-19.'

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited is a global, values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical leader headquartered in Japan, committed to bringing Better Health and a Brighter Future to patients by translating science into highly-innovative medicines.

COVID-19 plasma therapy news published by Precision Vaccinations.

 

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