As a new monoclonal antibody drug was added to treatments for hospitalized COVID-19 patients who were still breathing on their own, the drug - lenzilumab – led to significant improvement in their likelihood of not requiring invasive mechanical ventilation, report researchers. 

There were 540 patients in the randomized trial who were being given different standard treatments. Half of them were also given lenzilumab through three intravenous infusions. Researchers noted that patients receiving lenzilumab had 54% better chance of surviving without requiring mechanical ventilation. In patients receiving steroids and remdesivir, the addition of lenzilumab led to improved survival without the need for mechanical ventilation by 92%. The findings were posted on medRxiv ahead of peer review… (Reuters, May 11, 2021)