CNBG Develops Specific Immune Plasma Product against NCP in Clinical Trials

China National Biotec Group Company Limited (CNBG), a subsidiary of China National Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. (Sinopharm), succeeded in developing a specific immune plasma product for treatment of the novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) after strict blood biological security detection, viral inactivation and anti-virus activity testing, the company announced on Feb 13.

A result of cooperation between the Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd., Sinopharm Wuhan Plasma-derived Biotherapies Co., Ltd., the First Hospital of Jiangxia District in Wuhan, the Wuhan Blood Center, the Wuhan Institute of Virology of CAS and the National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, the plasma product with antibodies of the novel coronavirus has been put into clinical trials for patients in critical condition.

According to CNBG, the product contains blood plasma with highly-effective antibodies of the novel coronavirus which had been inactivated and had passed detections of the neutralizing antibodies and multi-pathogenic microorganisms.

The company allocated relevant equipment and raw materials, and set up a team to collect plasma of people who have recovered from NCP on Jan 20.

The first clinical trials of the plasma therapy were carried out on Feb 8 on three patients in critical condition in the First Hospital of Jiangxia District. Their conditions got better in 12 to 24 hours after treatment.

Experts said there are patients of SARS in critical condition who were cured after being injected with the blood plasma of recovered people in 2003 during the outbreak of SARS. Facing a lack of a vaccine and specific drugs to cure NCP, such plasma products could be an effective method.

CNBG is now presiding over the production of the specific blood plasma and the specific immune globulin for patients infected with the novel coronavirus in the recovery period, which has gained the support of the Science and Technology Department and the Health Commission of Hubei Province.

The company will continue to fulfill its responsibility as a central SOE and make full efforts to develop products to prevent, control and cure NCP.

(Executive editor: Wang Ruoting)