WHO supports the use of antibody drugs to treat Covid-19
The World Health Organization (WHO) expert panel on September 24 recommended the use of the antibody mixture ronapreve in the treatment of Covid-19 in people at high risk of hospitalization.
The drug has been approved for emergency use in more than 20 countries, including the US, Japan, the UK and India, to treat or prevent acute nCoV infection. However, it cannot replace vaccination. The antibody cocktail is suitable for people at risk of severe illness wheninfected with Covid-19.
The drug, administered by infusion, prevents the process of nCoV attaching to respiratory cells in humans. The mixture contains two monoclonal antibodies, casirivimab and imdevimab (created in a laboratory environment).
The drug boosts immunity, eliminates the virus and helps patients recover from nCoV infection. It works similarly to convalescent plasma therapy, in which doctors take antibodies from people who have recovered from Covid-19 and infuse them into people who are infected with the virus.
Ronapreve has undergone several clinical trials around the world. As of July, 16,000 patients, both hospitalized and non-hospitalized, had been given the drug in the trials, according to Regeneron.
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| The headquarters of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland, April 6. Photo: Reuters |
A phase three study involving 1,500 volunteers in the US, Romania and Moldova showed that ronapreve reduced the risk of nCoV infection by 81% in F1s. In F0s, the drug helped reduce symptoms and viral load in the body.
In a UK study involving 9,700 patients, the drug reduced deaths by a fifth.
However, the WHO acknowledged that Ronapreve’s drawback is its high cost. It called on Regeneron to reduce the price and distribute the drug equitably around the world, especially in low- and middle-income countries. It also urged the company to transfer its manufacturing technology.
French medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) also responded to WHO's comments, calling for ensuring sustainable and equitable distribution of Covid-19 drugs during the pandemic.
Regeneron has pledged to provide an additional 1.4 million doses of ronapreve to the US government by January 31 next year, at a cost of $2,100 per dose.
