WHO Endorses Regeneron’s COVID-19 Antibody Treatment

September 27, 2021

Last Friday, the WHO endorsed the use of Regeneron’s monoclonal antibody cocktail for patients at high risk of being hospitalized due to severe COVID-19. Others eligible for treatment include those unable to develop antibodies to COVID-19, through previous infection or vaccination. This includes immunocompromised persons. Regeneron’s casirivimab and imdevimab antibody cocktail, administered by infusion, was the first combination therapy to receive FDA EUA.

In the UK Recovery trial, the treatment reduced the risk of hospitalization in mild COVID-19 cases and decreased the risk of being placed on a ventilator or dying while hospitalized. “This second recommendation is based on data from the RECOVERY trial showing that casirivimab and imdevimab probably reduce deaths (ranging from 49 fewer per 1,000 in the severely ill to 87 fewer in the critically ill) and the need for mechanical ventilation in seronegative patients” (1). The treatment did not significantly shorten or decrease symptoms in less serious cases.