US to buy at least 100,000 doses of Lilly's Covid-19 antibody therapy

Drugmaker Eli Lilly and Co stated on Friday the US authorities has agreed to purchase a minimum of 100,000 doses of its newly licensed Covid-19 twin antibody cocktail for $210 million, with doses to be delivered by March-end.

The US authorities could have the choice to buy as much as a further 1.1 million doses by Nov. 25, the corporate stated.

Lilly stated it will start delivery these doses instantly.

The remedy comprises two antibodies bamlanivimab and etesevimab and had bought US emergency use authorization earlier this month.

Like rival Regeneron Prescribed drugs Inc's twin antibody remedy REGN-COV2, Lilly's combo has been licensed for the remedy of delicate to average Covid-19 in sufferers who're at excessive danger of progressing to extreme illness or hospitalization.

Lilly's remedy helped reduce the danger of hospitalization and demise in Covid-19 sufferers by 70%, in response to early late-stage trial information put out in January.

Regardless of the federal government's efforts to encourage use of the remedies to assist maintain individuals out of hospitals, the therapies have seen weak demand.

Healthcare programs have stated they've been gradual to ramp up use of the antibodies resulting from further ranges of complexity throughout the pandemic, together with necessities for fast analysis occasions and the necessity to isolate infectious sufferers.

United States had already agreed to purchase 1.45 million doses of bamlanivimab alone, Lilly stated, including that 1 million of doses have already been delivered and 450,000 extra doses can be delivered by March-end.