Brandywine Hospital will start offering the recently approved COVID-19 drug called bamlanivimab after first receiving it this week, according to a report from the Daily Local News.

Developed by Eli Lilly, bamlanivimab is a monoclonal antibody that is used to treat individuals diagnosed with COVID-19. It was approved by the FDA under “emergency use authorization” for patients 12 years and older.

This type of authorization allows new medications that have undergone general safety tests and have demonstrated effectiveness to proceed into commercial distribution, while Phase 3 studies are still being performed.

The treatment is given as an infusion. It will be administered in a recently converted unit located on the hospital’s ground floor. The area was selected specifically for providing the patients with access to a dedicated entrance that will lead them directly to the unit and ensure they are not in contact with other patients.

“We are excited that Brandywine Hospital will be able to provide this as another option to treat our patients while likely decreasing hospitalizations,” said Michael Coveney, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Brandywine Hospital.

Read more about the new treatment in the Daily Local News here.