A Japanese company is working to develop a treatment for the COVID-19 virus by using blood plasma taken from people who have survived the illness.

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. said its target for the treatment are people in the high-risk group, such as the elderly and people with underlying conditions.

The company is also exploring whether any of the products it has already developed could be effective treatments for the coronavirus that has spread throughout the world.

"As a company dedicated to the health and well-being of people around the world, we will do all that we can to address the novel coronavirus threat," said Dr. Rajeev Venkayya, the president of Takeda's Vaccine Business Unit and co-leader of its COVID-19 response team.

"We have identified relevant assets and capabilities across the company and are hopeful that we can expand the treatment options for patients with COVID-19 and the providers caring for them."

The research requires access to blood plasma from COVID-19 patients. When a vaccine to prevent the disease is developed, blood from people who have been vaccinated also can be used.

The idea is to use the antibodies for COVID-19 in the blood plasma for treating people with the disease, which in theory would help their bodies fight the virus.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Takeda has assigned roughly 40 people to the project. Its goal is to treat patients with the new therapy in nine to 18 months.

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