The country’s provisional go-ahead could increase pressure already being exerted on the US Food and Drug Administration to approve the therapy.

Testing in animals and lab-grown cells suggests the experimental drug could enhance the function of lysosomes within cells.

Unlike studies of antibody-rich transfusions in hospitalized patients, which overall have not found clear benefits, a new randomized trial finds that early convalescent plasma treatment cuts hospitalizations in half.

Current evidence suggests the treatment does not improve survival or reduce the need for ventilation in COVID-19 patients, the World Health Organization says.

The President was hospitalized on Friday evening and has been receiving an aggressive treatment of experimental and standard drugs.