COVID convalescent plasma approved for those who are immunocompromised

FDA has approved OneBlood’s COVID-19 convalescent plasma to treat COVID-19 infections specifically in people who are immunocompromised in both out-patient and in-patient settings. Although OneBlood is a regional blood bank, healthcare providers at hospitals across the country can order convalescent plasma by contacting the organization. Because the antibodies in convalescent plasma primarily block the virus from infecting cells, OneBlood’s Chief Medical Officer, Rita Reik, M.D., said the treatment should be given as early as possible to be effective.

OneBlood is turning to its pool of blood donors to manufacture COVID-19 convalescent plasma. When someone donates whole blood, they answer questions about their health history, including whether they’ve had COVID-19. The OneBlood lab then tests their blood for antibody levels. If the donation has a high enough level of COVID-19 antibodies, OneBlood separates the plasma to be used as COVID-19 convalescent plasma. Unlike the Ig used in Ig replacement therapy, each unit of convalescent plasma comes from one donor’s blood.

“Units that pass all FDA-required testing are then labeled as high-titer COVID-19 convalescent plasma and available for hospitals to order,” said Reik.

COVID-19 convalescent plasma joins a suite of COVID preventions and treatments on the market. Unlike vaccines and the monoclonal antibody Pemgarda, it’s not approved to prevent COVID-19. However, it offers another option to people who are at high risk from the virus and may not be protected as well by COVID vaccines.

Asked about the possibility of addressing other infectious diseases, Reik said “OneBlood remains vigilant should future opportunities arise for other convalescent plasma products.”