An overview of the preclinical discovery and development of bamlanivimab for the treatment of novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19): reasons for limited clinical use and lessons for the future
Marco Tuccori, Irma Convertino, Sara Ferraro, Giulia Valdiserra, Emiliano Cappello, Elisabetta Fini, Daniele Focosi
Abstract
: Bamlanivimab has shown some efficacy in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19. Initially approved as a monotherapy, due to poor efficacy it is currently only usable in combination with etesevimab. Pharmacokinetic limitations and mainly the onset of SARS-CoV-2 variants are the main reasons for this limited clinical use. The use in preventing hospitalization also has ethical limits related to the sustainability of care, especially if, considering similar effectiveness, bamlanivimab is compared with convalescent plasma.
Topics & Concepts
MedicineCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Clinical trialIntensive care medicineDrug developmentPandemicAuthorizationInvestigational DrugsSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)DrugPharmacologyDiseaseInternal medicineInfectious disease (medical specialty)Computer scienceComputer securitySARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 ResearchCOVID-19 Clinical Research StudiesViral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology