Study to Assess Antiviral Antibody Cocktail for COVID-19 Prevention Begins

A phase 3 trial evaluating an investigational antiviral antibody cocktail, REGN-COV2, for the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been initiated by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, in collaboration with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

REGN-COV2 consists of 2 potent, virus-neutralizing antibodies that bind noncompetitively to the receptor binding domain of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein, thereby blocking its interaction with the host cell. 

The study is expected to enroll 2000 individuals. It will be conducted at approximately 100 sites across the US and will investigate whether administration of REGN-COV2 prevents infection in those who have had close exposure to a COVID-19 patient (such as a household member).  

In addition to the prevention study, REGN-COV2 will be evaluated as a treatment for hospitalized and nonhospitalized patients with COVID-19. The two phase 2/3 treatment trials will be conducted across 150 sites in the US, Brazil, Mexico and Chile.

“We are running simultaneous adaptive trials in order to move as quickly as possible to provide a potential solution to prevent and treat COVID-19 infections, even in the midst of an ongoing global pandemic,” said George D. Yancopoulos, MD, PhD, Co-Founder, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Regeneron. “We are pleased to collaborate with NIAID to study REGN-COV2 in our quest to further prevent the spread of the virus with an antiviral antibody cocktail that could be available much sooner than a vaccine.”

The Company used a similar “cocktail” approach when investigating treatments for Ebola. A novel triple antibody treatment (REGN-EB3) is currently being reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration.

For more information visit regeneron.com.