US limits supply of Eli Lilly’s anti-COVID-19 antibodies in three states

(Reuters) – The US Department of Health and Human Services has said it will limit the distribution of Eli Lilly and Co’s COVID-19 antibody treatment in three states amid concerns over the impact of a new variant on its effectiveness.

The U.S. government is evaluating recommendations for the use of the antibody, bamlanivimab, in areas where the variant, CAL.20C, which has been found in California, circulates in high numbers, the department said. (https://bit.ly/3ljEZzK)

While evaluations are ongoing, direct ordering of bamlanivimab will not be permitted in California, Arizona and Nevada, HHS said, adding that other licensed COVID-19 antibody therapies will remain available in the states. .

In November, the US FDA granted emergency use authorization for bamlanivimab and a two-antibody cocktail developed by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. Eli Lilly also has a combination therapy of two antibodies, bamlanivimab and etesevimab. , which was cleared in February.

Eli Lilly said earlier this week that his combination therapy reduced the risk of hospitalization and death by 87% in patients at high risk for COVID-19 in one study. (https://reut.rs/3vlPyqo)

(Reporting by Amruta Khandekar; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli)