By Kimberly Chin

AbCellera Biologics Inc. on Friday said European regulators recommended the use of its Covid-19 treatment in confirmed Covid-19 patients, ages 12 years and older, that don't require supplemental oxygen or are at risk of progressing to more severe issues.

A committee of the European Medicines Agency that evaluates the use of therapies in humans issued a positive opinion for the use of AbCellera's bamlanivimab treatment alone as well as together with etesevimab.

The regulator reviewed the Phase 2 and Phase 3 trial results from AbCellera and Eli Lilly & Co., its collaborator in developing antibody therapies to prevent and treat Covid-19. The trial's results showed that bamlanivimab could reduce viral load and symptoms, as well as hospitalizations by about 70%. The use of bamlanivimab and etesevimab together indicated it could reduce the risk of Covid-19 hospitalizations and death by 70% in patients with mild to moderate symptoms.

The EMA committee's recommendation can be used by the European Union to make decisions on whether to authorize therapies for use. Bamlanivimab received emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration last month.

AbCellera is a Canada-based biotechnology company.

Write to Kimberly Chin at kimberly.chin@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

03-05-21 1645ET