Lilly starts second COVID-19 antibody test with partner Junshi Biosciences, eyes combo trials

In just over a week Eli Lilly has gone from having nothing in the clinic to not one but now two antibody drugs targeting SARS-CoV-2 as it also eyes combining both, and more besides, for a more potent effect.

At the start of the month, Lilly began dosing COVID-19 patients in a phase 1 trial of its AbCellera-partnered antibody known as LY-CoV555; now, it’s kickstarting another phase 1 program with its second COVID asset, which is partnered with Chinese biotech Junshi Biosciences.