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 The Mobile Research Unit (MRU) arrived Thursday at
St. Clara’s to begin the trial study. Heritage Operations Group, 115
W. Jefferson Street, Bloomington – manages the operations of St.
Clara’s and has entered into an agreement to partner with drug
manufacturer, Eli Lilly and Company of Indianapolis (NYSE: LLY) to
initiate this drug trial named BLAZE-2 of their COVID-19 antibody
drug currently called LY-CoV555. This trial is study the use of the
drug to be used for the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection and
COVID-19 in residents and staff of skilled nursing, assisted living
and supportive living facilities.
All Heritage owned and managed skilled nursing, assisted and
supportive living facilities are potential test site candidates in
this Phase 3 trial. “We are thrilled to be working with Eli Lilly
and assisting them on their development of this potentially
important COVID-19 treatment. So far, we have been able to offer few
options other than infection control measures and palliative care.
This partnership with Eli Lilly offers our residents and employees a
sense of hope, and gives us an opportunity to be on the offensive
against this terrible disease, which has disproportionately impacted
the elderly population,” said Ben Hart, president and CEO of
Heritage Operations Group.
“COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on nursing
home residents. We’re working as fast as we can to create medicines
that might stop the spread of the virus to these vulnerable
individuals,” said Daniel Sovronsky, M.D., Ph.D., said Eli Lilly’s
chief scientific officer and president of Lilly Research
Laboratories. Eli Lilly’s study of this antibody drug is
experimental, and participation by residents and staff is voluntary.
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Upon meeting certain COVID positive criteria, Eli
Lilly will deploy a mobile research unit (MRU) to the facility and
conduct an infusion clinic onsite. This process would be coordinated
by staff at the Heritage corporate office. A research team
consisting of approximately ten Eli Lilly staff (coordinators,
physician assistants, infusion RNs, medical technicians) would
conduct all trial operations.
Heritage Operations Group, LLC is a division of Heritage
Enterprises, Inc., which was founded in 1962 and is involved in a
variety of residential and health care services for seniors. The
company opened the first nursing home in Bloomington, Illinois,
where Heritage is headquartered. Today, the company employs over
4,300 people and owns or manages over 50 facilities throughout
Illinois. Heritage offers RESTORE therapy services, skilled nursing
services, sheltered care, respite care. Additionally, Heritage owns
and manages supportive living, licensed assisted living and
independent living facilities. For more information about Heritage,
please visit www.HeritageOfCare.com.
[Melissa A. Beaver, MBA
Vice President – Community Relations & Marketing
Heritage Operations Group, LLC]
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