Designer antibodies could battle COVID-19 before vaccines arrive

 While the world is transfixed by the high-stakes race to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, an equally crucial competition is heating up to produce targeted antibodies that could provide an instant immunity boost against the virus. Clinical trials of these monoclonal antibodies, which could both prevent and treat the disease, are already underway and could produce signs of efficacy in the next few months, perhaps ahead of vaccine trials. Science 

Why pregnant women face special risks from COVID-19

 The prescription for caregivers is simple, says David Baud, an expert on emerging infectious diseases and pregnancy at Lausanne University Hospital: “Protect your pregnant patients. The first ones who need the masks are pregnant women. The first to avoid social contact should be pregnant women. ScienceMagazine 

U.S. government begins two trials testing Eli Lilly’s coronavirus antibody drug

The trials, called ACTIV-2 and ACTIV-3, will look at U.S. drugmaker Eli Lilly’s experimental treatment known as LY-CoV555, which is being developed in partnership with Canadian biotech firm AbCellera. The companies announced Monday that they began a phase three trial testing whether the treatment can prevent the spread of coronavirus in residents and staff at nursing homes. CNBC

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NIH launches clinical trial to test antibody treatment in hospitalized COVID-19 patients

Patients admitted with COVID-19 at select hospitals may now volunteer to enroll in a clinical trial to test the safety and efficacy of a potential new treatment for the disease. The Phase 3 randomized, controlled trial is known as ACTIV-3, and as a “master protocol,” it is designed to expand to test multiple different kinds of monoclonal antibody treatments. It also can enroll additional volunteers in the middle of the trial, if a specific investigational treatment shows promise. NIH 

Scientists Uncover Biological Signatures of the Worst Covid-19 Cases

Scientists are beginning to untangle one of the most complex biological mysteries of the coronavirus pandemic: Why do some people get severely sick, whereas others quickly recover? In certain patients, according to a flurry of recent studies, the virus appears to make the immune system go haywire.

 Unable to marshal the right cells and molecules to fight off the invader, the bodies of the infected instead launch an entire arsenal of weapons — a misguided barrage that can wreak havoc on healthy tissues, experts said. The NewYork Times

Russia claims it's on track to approve Covid-19 vaccine by mid-August. But speed of process raises questions

Russia intends to be the first in the world to approve a coronavirus vaccine, in less than two weeks -- despite concerns about its safety, effectiveness and over whether the country has cut essential corners in development, CNN has learned. Russian officials told CNN they are working toward a date of August 10 or earlier for approval of the vaccine, which has been created by the Moscow-based Gamaleya Institute.

It will be approved for public use, with frontline healthcare workers getting it first, they said. CNNWorld 

Roche arthritis drug Actemra flunks COVID-19 study, but remdesivir combo data await

On the Covacta trial’s key secondary endpoint of death prevention by week four, a 19.7% death rate among Actemra patients didn't differ from the placebo group’s 19.4%. This marks the second major blow to the theory of targeting inflammatory molecule IL-6 in treating COVID-19. Earlier this month, Sanofi and Regeneron pulled the plug on a phase 3 trial of their rival IL-6 inhibitor Kevzara after finding the drug couldn’t help severely ill COVID-19 patients who were on mechanical ventilation. FiercePharma