Shown above is Celltrion’s antiviral treatment for COVID-19, named CT-P59. Celltrion said that the treatment candidate was effective in treating COVID-19 patients. Photo courtesy of Celltrion

Celltrion’s treatment candidate reduces recovery time by up to 6 days

Celltrion said this week that its treatment for the novel coronavirus would be available in late January at the earliest as top-line results of its trial test shows positive results.

The Incheon-based company announced the phase II clinical test of its anti-COVID-19 antibody treatment candidate, dubbed CT-P59, which involved 327 people in South Korea, Europe, and the United States.

The corporation said that CT-P59-treated patients showed a significantly reduced risk of COVID-19-related hospitalization and oxygenation without mortality.

It also noted that the treatment candidate shortened time to clinical recovery ranging from 3.4 days to 6.4 days quicker compared to placebo.

Prof. Eom Joong-sik of Gachon University said that CT-P59 contributed to a reduced time to recovery while prevents COVID-19 patients from progressing to severe disease.

He expected that the treatment candidate would “positively contribute to the management and control of the current COVID-19 pandemic.”

Celltrion Healthcare senior official Kim Ho-ung said that CT-P59 is effective for the treatment of COVID-19 in mild-to-moderate patients and especially in moderate patients aged 50 years and over.

“We are encouraged by the robust and consistent nature of the top-line clinical profile of CT-P59, and our clinical studies are on track in more than 10 countries,” he said.

“We are planning to manufacture doses for around two million patients in 2021 and hope to improve access to this treatment option for those that require.”

Celltrion has just started its phase III trial and asked the Korea Food and Drug Administration to give an emergency approval for the use of its antiviral treatment.

A Celltrion representative expected that the government’s approval will be given in late January at the earliest.

“We will also seek an emergency approval in America and Europe so that people there will be able to benefit from our new treatment candidate,” the representative said.
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