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#Coronavirus - Commission strengthens support for treatment through convalescent plasma

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The Commission has invited more than 200 blood-collection services around the EU to apply for funding for the purchase of plasmapheresis equipment, i.e. equipment that takes plasma from donors. The aim of this action is to support the treatment of new COVID-19 patients who are fighting the disease, by increasing EU capacity to collect convalescent plasma, which is plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients. This action is part of the Emergency Support Instrument (ESI). Grants will be provided to public and NGO blood-collection services authorized to collect plasma. The treatment consists of transfusing convalescent plasma to sick patients to boost their immunity and ability to fight the disease.

Plasma transfusion is also used to purify antibodies to make a COVID-19 specific medicinal product (immunoglobin) as short-term alternative to vaccines. Health and Food Safety Commissioner Stella Kyriakides said: “Convalescent plasma could be a promising treatment for COVID-19. With the financing we put forward today, we are able to go a step further in plasma collection and I invite all relevant stakeholders to make use of it. We will continue to explore all possible options to support the development and access to safe and effective treatments for COVID-19 to protect our citizens. This remains our primary objective in the weeks and months ahead.”

This action demonstrates the Commission's commitment to developing therapeutics, as specified in the EU health preparedness for possible future outbreaks communication. A press release is available online.

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