COVID-19 antibody therapies left unused; developers carry on regardless

 

• Despite the raging COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S., the monoclonal antibody therapies approved for emergency use in November are left unused in healthcare facilities, The Wall Street Journal reported over the weekend.
• Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) was granted emergency use authorization by the FDA for baricitinib to be used in combination with remdesivir in hospitalized adult and pediatric patients two years and older. A few days later, a similar approval was given to Regeneron (NASDAQ:REGN) for its antibody cocktail casirivimab and imdevimab for those aged 12 years and above with mild to moderate COVID-19.
• Yet, more than a month after the regulatory clearance, only 20% of the weekly doses received by healthcare providers are used for treatments, according to officials from Operation Warp Speed.
• The report cites patient dislike for therapy, unclear therapeutic benefits, and the additional labor required for the intravenous injection as reasons. Citing the lack of data for or against the two therapies, the NIH has said, neither should be considered the standard of care for COVID-19.
• Yet, Vir Biotechnology (NASDAQ:VIR) has partnered with GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK) to unveil another monoclonal antibody therapy for hospitalized adults with COVID-19, announcing a few days ago the dosing of the first patient in a sub trial of a late-stage study.
• Citing the hurdles faced by other developers of monoclonal antibodies against COVID-19, the analysts from Baird has downgraded the stock to underperform, concluding ‘these agents could in time easily prove NPV-negative,’ as mRNA vaccine rollout expands.
• https://seekingalpha.com/news/3647775-covidminus-19-antibody-therapies-left-unused-developers-carry-on-regardless