Researchers at the University Hospital Erlangen have reported significant improvements in fatigue symptoms experienced by patients with long-COVID following treatment with a drug called BC007. The findings, released Friday by a research team led by Bettina Hohberger of the University’s Eye Clinic, stem from a study involving 30 individuals suffering from persistent fatigue following a COVID-19 infection.
The study employed a crossover design, with participants initially receiving either BC007 or a placebo, followed by a switch after several weeks. BC007 functions by neutralizing specific autoantibodies suspected of contributing to long-COVID symptoms. Researchers observed that treatment with the drug not only led to the reduction of these autoantibodies, but also a noticeable enhancement in the patients’ overall quality of life.
The study, known as reCOVer, received funding from the Federal Ministry of Research and the German Research Foundation. Several specialist departments within the University Hospital Erlangen collaborated on the research. The findings have been published in the peer-reviewed journal “eClinicalMedicine”.