South Korea plans to mass-produce an antibody treatment of the novel coronavirus later this month, Yonhap quoted health authorities as saying today, on Tuesday. The country's drug ministry is currently reviewing phase 2/3 clinical tests for the antibody-based treatment and aims to mass-produce commercial antibodies for the novel coronavirus in September, according to Kwon Jun-wook, deputy chief at the Central Disease Control Headquarters. Health researchers are currently analyzing results phase 1 trial, which was approved by the drug ministry on July 17. They also earned approval for phase 1 study of the treatment in Britain on July 29. For blood plasma-based treatment, health authorities said the drug ministry approved phase 2 study of its development on Aug. 20, and six medical institutions, including Samsung Medical Center and Asan Medical Center, will verify its effectiveness and safety on COVID-19 patients. Health authorities added the blood plasma material for phase 2 trial will begin production Tuesday and supply of the substance will be completed in mid-October.
