Mayo Clinic will lead national initiative to treat COVID-19 patients with plasma

Mayo Clinic will serve as the lead institution in a national initiative to deliver convalescent plasma therapy to patients with COVID-19.

The announcement, made Friday by the FDA, comes as Mayo prepares to release a new antibody test that can find out whether a person has recovered from COVID-19 and if they have active immunity.

There is limited research from China showing that plasma from previously-infected patients can be used to boost the immune systems of patients suffering from severe symptoms caused by the disease.

"We believe this program, in extending access to this investigational treatment, is a hopeful therapeutic option,” said Dr. Michael Joyner, head of the convalescent plasma program at Mayo.

On its website, Mayo said the investigation into the use of convalescent plasma is the result of a self-organized effort involving physicians and investigators from over 50 leading institutions, including Johns Hopkins University, Michigan State University, and Einstein Medical Center.

Joyner said he anticipates “a trickle of convalescent plasma for therapy will begin next week,” with more becoming available in the following weeks.

In addition to Mayo’s role in coordinating access, the FDA-sponsored program will also include support from the American Red Cross, which will work with physicians across the nation to collect and distribute the plasma.

In announcing the program, the FDA said people who have fully recovered from COVID-19 for at least two weeks are encouraged to consider donating plasma, which could potentially help save the lives of up to four patients.

Those willing to donate plasma should visit the Red Cross website for more information. Physicians at any institution who are treating hospitalized patients with COVID-19 can register their patients' info here.

Cover photo courtesy Mayo Clinic