A new study conducted at the University Hospital Erlangen has demonstrated significant relief from debilitating fatigue experienced by patients suffering from long COVID. Researchers, led by Bettina Hohberger of the ophthalmology department, announced the findings Friday. The study involved 30 individuals experiencing persistent fatigue following a COVID-19 infection.
Participants received either the experimental drug, BC007, or a placebo, with a switch occurring after several weeks. BC007 functions by neutralizing specific autoantibodies suspected of contributing to the symptoms of long COVID. Researchers report that treatment with the drug not only led to the disappearance of these antibodies but also resulted in a noticeable improvement in patients’ quality of life.
The study, known as reCOVer, was funded by the Federal Ministry of Research and the German Research Foundation. Several other specialist departments within the University Hospital Erlangen collaborated on the research. The findings have been published in the peer-reviewed journal “eClinicalMedicine”.
