Catalonia will be the setting for a promising clinical trial to advance the fight against the pandemic, led by Grifols in alliance with the Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital in Badalona. Approximately 800 asymptomatic people who have tested positive in a COVID-19 diagnostic test will be subcutaneously administered Gamunex-C immunoglobulin, developed by Grifols and rich in antibodies to combat the virus, extracted from plasma donors who have recovered from the disease.
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The objective of the trial is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the new drug, which, if valid, would provide immediate protection once the person has been exposed to the virus and has been infected. According to Grifols, it is a "complementary" therapy to the vaccine that can protect the elderly and healthcare personnel. It is also ideal for immunodeficient patients who cannot access the vaccine and can help contain outbreaks in places where vaccination has not started or has not been completed. The first results of the study are expected to be known in spring.
"This treatment with immunoglobulins as a base would provide a combination of polyclonal antibodies which, compared to monoclonals, present greater diversity that could improve the protection capacity against the virus," explained researcher Oriol Mitjà. For its part, Grifols emphasizes that Gamunex-C is very easy to administer, as it can be stored in the refrigerator and applied in any primary care center, which minimizes visits of infected people to hospitals.
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