Infusion Associates (IA), a provider of medically prescribed outpatient infusion therapy, revealed on Tuesday that it has stated to recruit patients across Michigan for an international COVID-19 study.

This study is sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Along with an international study team, Infusion Associate said its research team hopes to determine if administering anti-SARS-CoV-2 hyperimmunoglobulin (hIVIG) to people in the early stages of a COVID-19 infection, before the body has had a chance to make its own antibodies, can help prevent negative effects from COVID-19 and to prevent people from being hospitalised.

Participants in the study must have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 5 days; be 55 or older OR are 18 or older with a weakened immune system; not be having symptoms OR have had symptoms for 5 days or less; and not be currently hospitalised. They will receive either the study drug or placebo given intravenously as a single dose, in addition to receiving the usual treatment and care for COVID-19 according to local guidelines.

IA added that it will perform the study in a portable research clinic at its Grand Rapids infusion centre, which is equipped with medical supplies and devices necessary to care for patients and will not be shared with the Grand Rapids infusion centre.