SYSTEM NEWS
Leading the Fight Against COVID-19
Baylor Scott & White Research Institute is conducting more than 20 research initiatives and counting ...
6 s the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues , Baylor Scott & White Research Institute ( BSWRI ), the research and development arm of Baylor Scott & White Health , is accelerating its pace of bringing clinical trials online .
“ While our communities are doing their part by wearing face masks and practicing social distancing and good hand hygiene , our care teams and researchers at Baylor Scott & White are working tirelessly to find effective therapies for this disease ,” said Michael Mack , MD , president , BSWRI .
“ After activating five new COVID- 19 clinical trials almost immediately in the early days of the virus ’ s impact , our COVID-19 therapeutic task force and
Baylor Scott & White conducted industrysponsored remdesivir trials for both moderate and severe patients . our four institutional review boards have continued this hard work . We now have more than 20 COVID-19 research trials underway and at least 40 more in review ,” he said . “ We have an unwavering commitment to helping our communities navigate the uncertainty of this virus to find effective treatments .”
Studying Antibodies In August , BSWRI enrolled the first patient in the world out of 400 other sites participating in the National Institutes of Health ( NIH )-sponsored clinical trial for “ ACTIV-3 .” BSWRI also enrolled the world ’ s second patient the following day . The ACTIV-3 study is evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the investigational monoclonal antibody LY-CoV555 , which was identified in a blood sample from a recovered COVID-19 patient .
The virus grows inside human cells , and an antibody is produced as part of the body ’ s attempt to attack that virus and prevent it from attaching to more human cells and spreading . A monoclonal antibody is an engineered , highly purified antibody thought to be effective in blocking the virus from entering the cells .
Patients who are hospitalized with confirmed cases of COVID-19 may volunteer to participate in the study ,
BSWRI is a part of more than 20 new clinical trials and research studies that aim to help humankind understand and battle this debilitating virus .
which evaluates the benefit of different monoclonal antibodies in improving hospital discharge rates and sustained recovery at home for patients . Study participants also receive the current standard care for COVID-19 , including the antiviral drug remdesivir .
“ The science behind COVID-19 has evolved at warp speed , and we have been racing to find lifesaving therapies for our patients since day one . We must remember that well-conducted clinical trials performed with the highest scientific rigor are the key to finding an answer to treat the virus and help our patients ,” said Uriel Sebastian Sandkovsky , MD , MS , Baylor
THE COMPASS / BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE CENTRAL TEXAS FOUNDATION NEWS / FALL 2020