New COVID-19 drug proven successful in national trial

COVID-19 research: New drug first trialled in Stockton helps reduce deaths

A monoclonal antibody treatment first tested on a patient in Stockton has been proven to reduce deaths in hospitalised COVID-19 patients by 20 per cent.

By The Tees Editorial Desk · 16 June 2021

Medical research staff at University Hospital of North Tees Image: Image: North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation TrustOriginal source

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A new drug combination developed by Regeneron has been found to cut the risk of death for the sickest COVID-19 patients by one-fifth. The , which works by inactivating the virus, was first trialled on a patient at the University Hospital of North Tees last year.

As part of the national RECOVERY Trial coordinated by Oxford University, the medication has been administered to nearly 5,000 patients. Results that for those unable to mount their own immune response, the treatment saves six lives for every 100 patients and reduces hospital stays by four days.

Ben Prudon, respiratory consultant and the Trust's lead investigator, confirmed that the Stockton site was the first organisation to trial the drug. highlighted the vital role played by local patients who participated in the .

The Trust has recruited over 800 patients to the , making it one of the highest-contributing centres in the UK. This represents the third treatment discovered through the RECOVERY Trial to improve for severe infection cases.

Archive : This story is based on reporting originally published by North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust on 2021-06-16. The original source image has been and credited.