NEUTRALIZING ANTIBODIES AS POTENTIAL TREATMENTS Identified and characterized using various methods, including from the blood of COVID-19 survivors, neutralizing antibodies target the viral spike protein that SARS-CoV-2 uses to gain entry into host cells. Neutralizing antibodies, therefore, are specifically designed to treat COVID-19. Q. What are antibodies? A. Antibodies are naturally made in our bodies to fight infection. • Whenever the immune system meets a new foreign substance in the body, it makes new antibodies that attack the foreign substance. The next time that substance shows up, the immune system can produce the same antibodies to help the body fight it off before it can make a person sick. These types of naturally occurring antibodies provide active immunity. • Vaccines work in a similar way, helping the body make antibodies to attack specific foreign substances and providing active immunity in the body. • Antibody drugs are different. They are man-made antibodies that are given directly through an infusion or injection rather than prompting the body to make the antibodies for itself. This type of immunity is called passive immunity. Find more information about monoclonal antibody drugs and vaccines from the CDC, State Health Departments, and the following resources: • www.coronaviruspreventionnetwork.org • www.infusioncenter.org/ • Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers • Fact Sheet for Patients, Parents and Caregivers (English) • Fact Sheet for Patients, Parents and Caregivers (Spanish) • FDA Letter of Authorization Lilly Bamlanivimab Antibody Playbook | 25 PP-BM-US-0024