Monoclonal antibodies provide live-saving therapy to pandemic patients, according to UPMC health officials Friday.

An FDA emergency-use authorization was issued at the end of last year for monoclonal antibody therapies.

Dr. Graham Snyder, UPMC's medical director of infection prevention and hospital epidemiology, said Friday this is “welcomed news at a critical time.”

Monoclonal antibodies are proteins generated in laboratories that mimic the immune system's ability to fight pathogens.

Erin McCreary, UPMC infectious diseases pharmacist, said in Friday's news conference that monoclonal antibodies copy normal antibodies to strengthen their effectiveness.

“We're giving your immune system a leg up on the virus,” McCreary said.

McCreary said these treatments have the potential to spare patients from lasting COVID-19-related disabilities.

Snyder said health officials have recognized that monoclonal antibodies decrease by nearly 70% the risk of hospitalization or death of COVID-19 patients.

McCreary said a “handful” of those who have received the treatment have experienced mild reactions, and no patients have required hospitalization due to the treatment.

“The possibility that a treatment can prevent serious complications of COVID-19 would truly be transformative,” Snyder said.

Monoclonal therapies started being available the beginning of December.

The federal emergency use authorization permits them to be used for society's most at-risk patients:

Adults ages 65 and older

Adults age 55 and older with comorbidities

Children ages 12 to 17 with comorbidities.

Still, UPMC officials on Friday encouraged anyone recently diagnosed with COVID-19 to ask their health care provider about monoclonal antibody opportunities.

Snyder said about 33% of UPMC's COVID-19 patients are eligible for monoclonal therapies. UPMC has infused more than 1,000 patients at 16 system sites with monoclonal treatments.

McCreary said the treatment, which is administered in one-time intravenous doses, is most effective if given within 10 days of a diagnosis.

Patients who receive it within four days stand an even better chance of recovery and lasting health.

“The earlier you get this treatment, the better your outcome is,” said Dr. Donald Yealy, UPMC senior medical director.

The future of COVID-19 monoclonal treatment may include combination therapies for certain patients.

McCreary said recently released government data suggests health care providers should be looking into using combination products.

“Which would be using two different kinds of antibodies to treat patients,” McCreary said. “Essentially, you'd put both antibodies into one infusion.”

McCreary said UPMC is already studying the data, preparing to pivot as needed in treatments.

Yealy said scientists and health officials are now working on the “next generation” of monoclonal antibodies that will out-perform current therapies.

In the meantime, UPMC continues issuing vaccinations as a preventive measure.

The UPMC system has administered more than 297,000 vaccinations. Of those, more than 166,000 were distributed to people not affiliated with UPMC.

“Vaccination is just one important layer of protection,” Snyder said. “We must have another layer.”

Snyder noted this is particularly important with the rise of different virus strains, such as the UK and California variants.

To that end, UPMC officials are working to provide vaccinations and monoclonal therapies to people wherever they are.

“Your location is not a barrier,” McCreary said.

“The virus will continue to change,” Yealy said. “We will have to adapt to it.”

Health officials are still advising masking and social distancing, even for those who have been vaccinated.

More information about monoclonal therapies is available at upmc.com/antibodytreatment.

People can also call 866-804-5251 or contact their doctor.