King of Prussia-based CSL Behring has joined forces with several other biopharmaceutical companies to develop a potential plasma-derived therapy to treat COVID-19, writes John George for the Philadelphia Business Journal.

The alliance formed by CSL Behring and Japan’s Takeda Pharmaceuticals also includes Germany’s Biotest, Texas-based BPL, LFB of France, and Octapharma Plasma of North Carolina.

The companies plan to work jointly on developing an unbranded anti-SARS-CoV-2 polyclonal hyperimmune immunoglobulin medicine, which they believe has the potential to treat patients with serious COVID-19 complications.

These types of medicines are made from healthy human blood. They contain high levels of antibodies that can boost the ability of a body’s immune system to fight infections.

“This effort aims to accelerate a reliable, scalable, and sustainable option for caregivers to treat patients suffering from the impact of COVID-19,” said William F. Mezzanotte, CSL Behring’s executive vice president and head of research and development.

He added that in addition to pooling industry resources, the companies will also collaborate with government and academic efforts as a single entity to make the development process more efficient whenever possible.

Read more about CSL Behring at the Philadelphia Business Journal by clicking here.

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Top photo credit: Yves Sorge #36c3 Plasma Globe via photopin (license)