|
 REGEN-COV, as the combination shot of casirivimab and imdevimab is
called, reduced the overall risk of progressing to symptomatic
COVID-19 by 31%, and by 76% after the third day. The trial also
demonstrated that it shortened symptom duration and markedly lowered
viral levels, Regeneron said in a statement.
Regeneron has enlisted Switzerland's Roche and its massive biotech
facility in South San Francisco to help make around 2 million doses
annually, a substantial amount although only a fraction of what
would be needed to cover the people who get the illness, which is
currently infecting about 3.5 million people weekly worldwide.
The drug has emergency U.S. approval for mild to moderate COVID-19
patients, and the companies are hoping the latest trial convinces
regulators to expand its deployment. European regulators have voiced
some support and are letting countries decide if they want to use
it.
"These data pave the way for REGEN-COV to be used before patients
become symptomatic, with a more convenient subcutaneous
administration," Katharine Bar, co-principal investigator and a
professor at the University of Pennsylvania hospital, said in
Regeneron's release.
[to top of second column] |
 Regeneron said its trial met
primary and key secondary endpoints: Beyond
reducing symptomatic infection risk, the total
number of weeks patients experienced symptoms
was nearly halved (45%) with REGEN-COV, and the
viral burden was cut by 90%-plus, potentially
helping halt the disease's spread.
Regeneron booked around $260 million in U.S.
government orders for the drug in the first
quarter. Roche has not given financial
projections for sales outside the United States.
 (Reporting by John Miller; Editing by Caroline
Copley and Hugh Lawson)
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