New York City-based Northwell Health's research arm has joined a national network formed by the Mayo Clinic to collect blood plasma from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 and research an antibody therapy.
The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research has set up the Convalescent Coronavirus Patient Registry, where those eligible and interested in donating blood can register. Participants will then be referred for blood plasma collection at a New York donation site.
The Feinstein Institutes soon will initiate a clinical trial to investigate the potential benefit and safety of donated plasma that contains antibodies that could help fight the new coronavirus. Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y., or Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York City will be eligible to receive the convalescent plasma as part of the trial.
"We are eager to team up with Mayo Clinic and the network to collaborate on this novel, experimental therapy, and urge those who can donate to our research to please do so. Your participation may help thousands in need," said Kevin J. Tracey, MD, president, and CEO of the Feinstein Institutes.