BARDA, Red Cross to collect plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients

The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) is partnering with the American Red Cross (ARC) to recruit blood donors who have recovered from COVID-19.

BARDA and the ARC are working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to collect convalescent plasma for use as a treatment for COVID-19 patients and in clinical trials. The ARC will prepare procedures for the collection of convalescent plasma.

Convalescent plasma from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 contains antibodies of SARS-CoV-2 — the virus that causes COVID-19. It has the potential to be one of the first therapeutics in use on the front lines.

Convalescent plasma has been studied in outbreaks of other respiratory infections, including the 2009-2010 H1N1 influenza virus pandemic, 2003 SARS-CoV-1 epidemic, and the 2012 MERS-CoV epidemic. While some studies have been promising, convalescent plasma has not been shown to be effective in every disease studied.

Through its network of volunteers, donors, and partners, the American Red Cross mobilizes the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors during emergencies. They aspire to turn compassion into action so that people affected by disaster receive care, shelter, and hope. They also work to make sure everyone has access to safe, lifesaving blood and blood products. In an emergency, the Red Cross makes sure there are always trained individuals nearby, ready to save lives.