Regeneron Begins Phase 3 Trial of Antibody Cocktail for COVID-19

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals has begun a phase 3 clinical trial in the U.S. of its antibody cocktail REGN-COV2 for the prevention of COVID-19 infections.

The trial is being conducted with the National Institutes for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and plans to enroll 2,000 patients across 100 sites.

REGN-COV2 is a combination of antibodies either isolated from recovered COVID-19 patients or developed by the company. The antibodies bind to the virus’ spike protein, which limits its ability to escape and spread infection.

The company has also separately launched two phase 2/3 trials evaluating the cocktail’s ability to treat patients already infected with COVID-19. One trial will enroll 1,850 hospitalized patients while the other trial aims to enroll 1,050 non-hospitalized patients.

The trials are expected to take place in more than 150 sites in the U.S., Brazil, Mexico and Chile with preliminary data expected this summer. NIAID is not involved with those trials.

In addition to its potential for prevention and treatment of COVID-19, REGN-COV2 may “have long-term utility for elderly and immunocompromised patients, who often do not respond well to vaccines,” said George D. Yancopoulos, Regeneron’s president and chief scientific officer. — Jordan Williams