MASS-PRODUCTION OF ANTIBODY MATERIAL FOR COVID-19

[Anchor Lead]

One of the reasons why COVID-19 is fearful in particular is because there is yet no cure. That is why South Korea plans to mass-produce an antibody material within this month that can be used to treat the coronavirus. Although it will first be used in clinical trials, once testing is done, mass production will start right away.

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When COVID-19 enters our system, immune cells start to create antibodies to fight off the virus. These antibodies remain in the blood of recovered patients. Plasma treatment refers to the use of concentrated antibodies extracted from fully recovered patients. Such plasma based treatment is undergoing clinical testing in Korea at the moment. Once trials are completed, it can be used to treat critically ill patients. An antibody cure is different from antibodies as it is produced outside the body. Such material, when injected into the body, can attack the coronavirus and help the patient heal. It's expected to produce short term preventive effects lasting one or two months. Antibody treatment can serve to protect medical workers and high-risk patients from the virus until a vaccine is developed. Health authorities plan to mass produce the antibody material within this month.

[Soundbite] KWON JUN-WOOK(KCDC) : "The Food and Drug Safety Ministry is currently reviewing 2nd, 3rd phase plans on clinical testing with the goal of mass producing a commercial antibody cure within this month."

A mass production system is being established in advance, before an approval is obtained, as the process of cultivating cells is highly complex and large scale facility investment is also necessary. After clinical trials prove the efficacy and safety of antibody treatment, it could go into use by as early as the end of the year.