Regeneron’s antibody cocktail effective in preventing Covid-19, company says



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Pharmaceuticals said on Tuesday that its cocktail of antibodies was effective in preventing Covid-19 in people exposed to those infected with the novel coronavirus, based on interim results from an advanced-stage study.

The cocktail of two antibodies, REGEN-COV, resulted in a 100% reduction in symptomatic infections and approximately 50% lower overall infection rates, based on an analysis of approximately 400 trial participants whose household member had Covid-19.

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Regeneron said it will discuss interim results with U.S. health regulators to potentially expand the current Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of the antibody cocktail. Full trial data is expected early in the second trimester.

In November, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted the antibody cocktail EUA for the treatment of mild to moderate Covid-19 in adults and children.

The current trial tested REGEN-COV for use as a passive vaccine, which involves delivering anti-virus antibodies directly into the body, unlike traditional vaccines in which the receptor’s immune system is activated to develop its own antibodies. .

REGEN-COV may be able to provide immediate passive immunity to people at high risk of infection, unlike active vaccines which take weeks to provide protection, the company said.

“These data using REGEN-COV as a passive vaccine suggest that it can both reduce the transmission of the virus and reduce the viral and disease burden in those who are still infected,” said George Yancopoulos, President and Scientific Director of Regeneron.

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The drugmaker also expects REGEN-COV to help people who respond poorly to vaccination.

During the trial, conducted jointly by Regeneron and the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases, one death and hospitalization related to Covid-19 were reported among those who received a placebo, but there is no no such incident in the treatment group, the company said.

REGEN-COV is also being studied in two clinical trials of advanced hospital patients and one advanced trial for the treatment of outpatients.

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