FDA Announces Emergency Use Authorization for Convalescent Plasma for Treatment of COVID-19 Patients; Update on Intermountain Healthcare Program

WHAT:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Sunday issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the use of convalescent plasma to treat COVID-19 patients. 

In Utah, more than 500 Intermountain Healthcare COVID-19 patients have received convalescent plasma, which is donated by patients who have recovered from COVID-19, as part of Intermountain’s participation in the FDA’s National Expanded Access Treatment Protocol.  

Intermountain has been one of the top participants in the national convalescent plasma treatment protocol, which will now be replaced by the emergency use authorization. 

Investigators from the Mayo Clinic leading the program recently released data suggesting that convalescent plasma is safe and highlighting the need for plasma with high levels of antibody. Randomized controlled trials are underway to determine if convalescent plasma is clinically beneficial for patients with COVID-19. So far, this has not been clinically established. 

Intermountain clinicians, including Dr. Brandon Webb, chair of Intermountain’s COVID-19 Therapeutics Team who has led Intermountain’s integrated efforts on COVID-19 treatment strategies, will offer insights on what the EUA means for COVID-19 patients in Utah.

A recovered COVID-19 patient, who received convalescent plasma at Intermountain as part of her treatment, will also talk about the need for more plasma donors.
 
WHEN:
12:15 pm, MT, Monday, August 24, 2020
 
WHERE:
Zoom press conference (invitation being sent to journalists)
 
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