Australians who have recovered from coronavirus can donate their plasma to help create a new treatment for others who are seriously ill with the virus.
A potentially lifesaving treatment powered by the antibodies of recovered patients is set to be produced by CSL Behring at a facility in Melbourne.
Australia is one of the first countries in the world producing the treatment, which could be used to help people seriously ill with complications caused by the virus, especially those who may soon need ventilation.
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood will invite people who have recovered from COVID-19 to donate their plasma, which contains antibodies that can fight the virus.
Health Minister Greg Hunt has the development. Source: AAP
The antibodies will then be purified and concentrated to make COVID-19 immunoglobulin, which will be distributed to ill patients through a clinical trial.
About 800 plasma donations are needed to treat 50 to 100 severely ill people.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said the development is "a great example of Australians helping Australians at a time of critical need".
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