Early Results Boost Hopes of Antibody Treatment for COVID-19
Scientists are in a race to find viable treatments for COVID-19, and early results from several companies are providing a ray of hope for patients and healthcare providers.
Biotech Regeneron Pharmaceuticals recently shared with investors the results of their newly developed cocktail of two synthetical monoclonal antibodies that attach to the surface protein of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus responsible for COVID-19.
The treatment aims to help patients infected with the novel coronavirus, but who are not yet seriously ill.
Researchers shared details of the data collected from their placebo-controlled trial that involved 275 infected people during the company’s investor and media webcast. Ultimately, the biotech company plans to enroll 2100 individuals who are either asymptomatic or only moderately ill.
During the trial, scientists divided patients into two groups: those who had detectable antibodies against SARS-Cov-2 and those who did not (seronegative group). The monoclonal cocktail had little effect on participants who already had antibodies against the virus, but it showed real promise with seronegative patients.
The cocktail appeared to significantly reduce the amount of virus found in patients’ nasopharyngeal swabs and alleviated symptoms more quickly.
In an article published by The American Association for the Advancement of Science, Myron Cohen of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill said,
“These are provocative results.”
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals is not the first company to reveal similar findings, as Cohen pointed out. The trial’s early results closely resemble those shared by Eli Lilly in a press release regarding initial results from a single monoclonal antibody test against SARS-CoV-2.
How Do Synthetical Antibodies Work?
Monoclonal antibodies work the same way as natural antibodies produced by the immune system. They work by binding to specific targets. In the case of COVID-19, the monoclonal antibodies attach themselves to the SARS-CoV-2 virus rendering it harmless.
The monoclonal antibodies manufactured by both companies are clones of potent SARS-CoV-2 antibodies known to “neutralize” the virus in test tube studies.
Researchers obtained the genes for these antibodies from recovered COVID-19 patients and from mice that were artificially infected with the virus. Both Regeneron and Eli Lilly mass-produced the antibodies by putting the genes in hamster ovary cells.
COVID-19 patients who participated in the trials received the treatment as infusions.
Who Will Benefit from the Antibody Treatment?
Although initial test results are positive, the treatment won’t be ideal for every patient.
As George Yancopoulos, president and co-founder of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, emphasized during the webcast, the target market for the monoclonal cocktail are individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 that have “not yet mounted their own immune response” and have exceedingly high levels of the virus in their system.
“What we really want to do is turn them into patients who have already started to effectively fight the virus,” Yancopoulos said.
Likewise, Daniel Skovronsky, Lilly’s chief scientific officer, said,
“Antibodies will work best in people who can’t clear the virus on their own.”
There are still many questions regarding determining who is an ideal candidate for these newly developed antibody treatments.
Individuals who test positive for SARS-CoV-2 aren’t routinely screened for antibodies or their virus levels. This makes it challenging to identify those patients who could greatly benefit from the therapy.
Another critical challenge relates to cost. Monoclonal antibodies are more difficult to manufacture than many drugs and often are extremely expensive. The cost coupled with production challenges means that demand could quickly exceed supply, and many countries cannot afford them.
More data is required to determine if these are indeed viable treatment options for COVID-19. However, these early results boost hopes for healthcare providers and high-risk patients.
Altus Biologics closely follows the development of new therapies for the cure or management of diseases.
