What are antibody therapies and who is developing them for Covid-19?

Eli Lilly is collaborating with Junshi and Canadian biotech firm AbCellera Biologics to develop different antibody treatments

While some potential vaccines have emerged in the global race to find a way to stop the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19), many scientists and researchers believe antibody-based therapies hold great promise for treating people already infected with the disease.

How do antibody therapies work?

These therapies use antibodies generated by infected humans or animals to fight off the disease in patients. They date back to the late 19th century, when researchers used a serum derived from the blood of infected animals to treat diphtheria.

For Covid-19 treatment, researchers are studying the use of convalescent plasma and other treatments made with blood