No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsCosta RicaCosta Rica begins clinical trials of equine plasma for coronavirus patients

Costa Rica begins clinical trials of equine plasma for coronavirus patients

Costa Rica on Monday began clinical trials of antibody-rich plasma that has been extracted from horses with the purpose of treating COVID-19 patients.

According to Román Macaya, executive president of the Costa Rican Social Security System (CCSS), four hospitalized patients received the first doses of the plasma on Monday morning. The Phase II study will comprise at least 26 patients across four public hospitals.

Ultimately, the CCSS hopes the equine plasma will prevent patients hospitalized with COVID-19 from deteriorating further. If the treatment reduces the average length of hospitalization, it would help free up Costa Rica’s limited hospital capacity.

“It’s a moment of optimism, but scientific evidence will always guide us,” Macaya said of the study.

The Clodomiro Picado Institute at the University of Costa Rica — which specializes in snake antivenoms — created the serums from the blood of horses that have been injected with non-infectious SARS-CoV-2 proteins.

The institute designed two versions of the plasma, which are being compared as part of the study. The first version is based on a single protein from the SARS-CoV-2 virus, while the other is from four different proteins.

Both serums were shown to inhibit the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, during in vitro tests performed at the National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases in the United States. In vitro refers to a study performed outside of a living organism. 

“The immune response of the horses was activated to block a ‘key,’ preventing the virus from infecting cells and replicating,” explained Alberto Alape of the Clodomiro Picado Institute, in late July.

The treatments are not a replacement for an eventual vaccine, Macaya said. The Central American Bank for Economic Integration recently approved a loan to help Costa Rica purchase an eventual vaccine.

Alfredo Sanabria-Castro is the study’s lead investigator, and each hospital with participating patients will receive additional support to monitor their progress.

Costa Rica also treats hospitalized patients with convalescent plasma created from the blood of recovered COVID-19 patients, but the equine plasma is many times stronger.

“This is not a substitute for a vaccine, [but] it’s a therapeutic strategy to use until we have a vaccine, so that we lose the fewest number of people due to COVID-19,” Macaya said.

The Clodomiro Picado Institute began exploring equine plasma to treat COVID-19 in April. In addition to the positive in vitro results at a U.S. lab, the treatment has met all regulatory guidelines for a clinical study, Macaya said.

Trending Now

Chinese Influence in Costa Rica Grows from Business to Education

Will the 21st Century someday be known as the Chinese century? Time will tell. They seem to be off to a good start when...

Costa Rican Sandra Cauffman Ends 37-Year NASA Career

Sandra Cauffman, a trailblazing Costa Rican engineer, retired from NASA on August 8, 2025, leaving a legacy that spans decades of space exploration and...

Costa Rica Hosts Global Research on Sharks and Pollution

Bahía Santa Elena is one of the best-preserved marine areas in the Costa Rica, renowned for its biological richness, scenic beauty, and ecological importance....

Costa Rica Hit by Trump’s Latest Tariff Hike Targeting Dozens of Countries

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a executive order raising tariffs on dozens of countries, including Costa Rica, as part of a broader effort...

New U.S. Diplomat Jennifer Savage Takes Charge at Costa Rica Embassy

The U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica named Jennifer Savage as its new chargé d'affaires yesterday. She steps in to lead the diplomatic mission until...

Central American Sportfishing Alliance Expands Drive for Marine Conservation

The Central American Sportfishing Alliance (CASA) announced new global partnerships during ICAST 2025, the world’s largest sportfishing trade show, strengthening its mission to use...
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica