Blood samples from participants who have recovered from COVID-19 infection will be obtained and studied. The goal of the research is to identify antibodies that have been generated by the patient to fight the COVID-19 infection. By identifying the most effective antibodies, scientists can make specific antibodies to use to prevent future coronavirus outbreaks or to treat patients with severe disease.
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory
syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has caused over 1,273,712 infections and over 69,458
deaths worldwide. Columbia University Irving Medical Center/NewYork-Presbyterian (CUIMC/NYP)
has assembled a team of committed virologists, molecular biologists, chemists, and
technologists to address this emerging threat. Monoclonal antibodies have become great
additions to our therapeutic arsenal, primarily in treating cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Recently, the use of monoclonal antibodies in combating infections such as respiratory
syncytial virus and HIV have also become clear. In recent years, advanced cell sorting and
sequencing technologies have been utilized to identify neutralizing antibodies from human B
cells. This protocol will outline our approach to obtaining blood specimens from participants
who are recovering from COVID-19 infection. Potential participants will be referred by health
care providers from within the CUIMC/NYP system and from outside institutions. If the
potential participant agrees to be contacted, study staff will call them to review the
informed consent, eligibility criteria and study procedures, and set up a study visit for
blood draw. Monoclonal antibodies that could potently neutralize 2019 novel coronavirus
(2019-nCoV) and related coronaviruses will be isolated from these specimens. Candidate
monoclonal antibodies will then be optimized and evaluated for therapeutic potential. The
ultimate goal would be able to produce a monoclonal antibody that could confer protection
during an outbreak or be utilized to treat patients with severe COVID disease.
Procedure: Blood draw
Participants will have approximately 45 ml of whole blood drawn (3 Tablespoons) drawn at the study visit.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age 18 to 65 (inclusive)
- Confirmed COVID-19 infection by a FDA-approved molecular based assay (including those
under emergency use authorization) of respiratory or blood specimens;
- If symptomatic with COVID-19, must have evidence of improvement of symptoms and a
duration of at least 4 weeks from the onset of symptoms to day of enrollment;
- If asymptomatic, must have a duration of at least 4 weeks from first positive
molecular based COVID-19 assay to day of enrollment
Exclusion Criteria:
- <18 years or >65 years old
- No confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19
Columbia University Irving Medical Center/NYP
New York, New York, United States
David Ho, M.D,, Principal Investigator
Columbia University