AUSTIN, Texas—St. David’s HealthCare through the Office of Research is participating in multiple Phase III clinical trials on COVID-19, particularly those studying treatments on patients with severe to life threatening symptoms of the disease. These studies are enrolling patients with COVID-19 related pneumonia, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), and Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS). Investigational study drugs range from orally taken medications and IV infusions as well as a national convalescent plasma registry. Studies will examine the impact of effectiveness on patients’ ICU stay, clinical course, and ventilator usage.
Study medications are targeting cellular functions that may be responsible for COVID-19 complications such as pneumonia, ARDS, and CRS. These treatments seek to inhibit disease progression and decrease the morbidity and mortality seen in hospitalized patients. Dr. Matt Cowperthwaite, Division Director of Clinical Research shared St. David’s is excited to be participating in these innovative therapies in the fight against COVID-19.
Convalescent plasma is blood plasma from donors who have recovered from COVID-19. Survivors of the disease have antibodies against the virus in their plasma, which may help currently infected patients fight the virus. A single plasma donation can be used to treat multiple patients. If interested in learning more about local plasma donation, visit We Are Blood.