Pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly was granted an emergency use authorization (EUA) from the FDA on Monday for bamlanivimab, its antibody treatment against Covid-19. The drug, produced in New Jersey, was used by former New Jersey governor Chris Christie. It has shown effectiveness earlier in the course of disease, and is now available for anyone over the age of 65 with mild-to-moderate Covid-19, and for anyone over 12 with an underlying health condition putting them at risk.
The EUA is not valid for hospitalized patients or those receiving oxygen, as it has been shown either to be ineffective, or even harmful. By the time people have reached an advanced stage of Covid-19, the virus itself — which this treatment targets directly — is often no longer the main problem.
Regeneron, which produced the two-antibody cocktail used by President Trump, is also seeking an EUA. Eli Lilly has its own two-body cocktail for which they will be seeking an EUA later this month.
