EL CENTRO, CA – October 1, 2020 – El Centro Regional Medical Center (ECRMC) has announced it will be participating in an additional clinical trial to battle COVID-19. The trial, which is run by Corvus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., studies the use of a novel immunotherapy for hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Christian A. Tomaszewski, M.D. will be the lead investigator for ECRMC. “We’ve seen a great deal of challenges in COVID-19 treatment,” said Dr. Tomaszewski. “But the potential for new treatments is there and ECRMC is pleased to be able to help study these treatments.”

The purpose of the trial is to study a novel humanized monoclonal antibody, designated CPI-006, as an immunotherapy for mild to moderately ill COVID-19 patients that require hospitalization. CPI-006 activates B cells leading to the production of antigen-specific immunoglobulin (IgM and IgG), as well as increased levels of memory B Cells, which are responsible for long-term immunity.

The overall goal of this trial is to determine CPI-006’s potential to enhance antibody responses to COVID-19, improve clinical outcomes, and prolong immunity. This trial has been enrolling COVID-19 patients and so far, preliminary results indicate that CPI-006 boosts immunity to the virus.

“The finding of increased anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in patients with COVID-19 treated so far is encouraging and a good reason to study this further,” said Dr. Tomaszewki. “We want to find a way to boost antibodies to attack the virus and to encourage long-term immunity and recovery.”

The study will enroll up to 25 inpatient participants. Potential participants are at least 18 years old and have mild to moderate COVID-19 related illness that requires hospitalization. If successful, this treatment will increase the immune response to the COVID-19 infection and may lead to faster viral clearance, shorter recovery time, less complications and longer lasting immunity. In the future, it is also possible that it can assist healthy people by improving the efficacy of vaccines.

About El Centro Regional Medical Center

El Centro Regional Medical Center is an acute-care medical center, serving the health care needs of the Imperial Valley since 1956. In addition to a 161-bed hospital facility, ECRMC also owns and operates a state-of-the-art Medical Office Building housing the Oncology & Hematology Center, Wound Healing Center, Outpatient Imaging services, as well as numerous specialty clinics. Off-campus facilities include two outpatient clinics in El Centro and Calexico and a Community Education Center located at the Imperial Valley Mall. ECRMC provides comprehensive healthcare services for residents seeking enhanced well-being and improved quality of life.