FDA Commissioner 'Very Optimistic' About Coronavirus Plasma Treatment

Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn said he is “very optimistic” about the possibility of a coronavirus plasma treatment.

During an appearance on Fox Business “Mornings with Maria” Tuesday, he said a plasma treatment is showing promise as a therapy for COVID-19 patients and could possibly be used as a preventative treatment for others who haven't been infected yet.

"I'm very optimistic about the convalescent plasma," Hahn said. "Convalescent plasma is where you take plasma — the liquid, protein part of the blood that contains natural immunity that people have developed when they've been exposed to COVID-19 — you process it, and you give it to someone who's sick.”

Bodies infected by a virus produce antibodies to fight it off. The antibodies can be found in the blood of COVID-19 survivors for months after they catch the virus.

The FDA commissioner said "there are some good preliminary data to suggest that it is a benefit."

He said the Red Cross and Mayo Clinic are scaling up their plasma treatments in anticipation of higher demand.

Convalescent plasma can also be used to produce "hyperimmune globulin," Hahn said, "which is a shot of concentrated antibodies that can also provide a treatment, and could also potentially be used as a prophylactic for those who haven't been exposed to the virus.”

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