Coronavirus: monoclonal antibodies, 2 studies on humans underway

Two Phase 3 human clinical trials of two different monoclonal antibodies, which can prevent SarsCov2 virus infection, are underway. This was announced by the Covid-19 Prevention Network (CoVpn), set up by the National Institute for Infectious Diseases (Niaid) of the United States, headed by Anthony Fauci.

    The studies want to volunteer people aged 18 and over who are at risk of infection from having been in close contact, at home or in the workplace, with people who are positive for the new coronavirus. For each of the two trials it is expected to involve about 2000 people in the United States.

Monoclonal antibodies are the laboratory-made version of proteins naturally produced by the immune system in response to viruses or other pathogens. In the case of the novel coronavirus, they can provide short-term protection and be used as a weapon against the pandemic until the vaccine is available.

One of the two trials will be conducted by Niaid with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals of Tarrytown (New York) to test the REGN-COV-2 monoclonal antibody on about 2,000 asymptomatic adults who have been in close contact at home with virus-positive people in 96 years. hours prior to drug administration. The study will also see if the antibody can prevent infection or symptoms in those already infected.

In the second Niaid trial, funded by the Eli Lilly company, the LY-CoV555 antibody, isolated in Covid-19 patients cured by Abcellera Biologics, will be evaluated. In this case we will try to understand if the drug can prevent infection among people at high risk of exposure because they reside or work in nursing care facilities.

Within a week of identifying a case in the facilities, researchers will enroll 2,400 volunteers and evaluate the antibody's efficacy and safety over an 8-week period, as well as preventing symptoms in those already infected.

"The COVID-19 Prevention Network has planned to conduct two large-scale trials quickly and efficiently - comments Anthony Fauci - The network will allow us to test the safety and efficacy of monoclonal antibodies and other preventive measures to identify the best way to reduce SARSCoV2 infections and put an end to the Covid-19 pandemic ".