Ronapreve can be used to treat symptoms of acute infection after successful clinical trials
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First published on Fri 20 Aug 2021 04.30 EDT
The medicines regulator has approved use of the first treatment in the UK using artificial antibodies to prevent and fight Covid-19.
The health secretary, Sajid Javid, said approval of the first drug designed specifically for coronavirus in the country is “fantastic news” and he hoped it could be rolled out for patients on the NHS as soon as possible.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said the clinical trial data they had assessed had shown Ronapreve may be used to prevent infection, treat symptoms of acute Covid-19 infection and could reduce the likelihood of being admitted to hospital because of the virus.
Trials took place before widespread vaccination and before the emergence of virus variants. It is the first monoclonal antibody combination product approved for use in the prevention and treatment of acute infection from the virus for the UK.
Monoclonal antibodies are artificial proteins that act like natural human antibodies in the immune system.
The drug, developed by Regeneron and Roche, is given either by injection or infusion and acts at the lining of the respiratory system where it binds tightly to the virus and prevents it from gaining access to the cells, the MHRA says.
Javid said: “The UK is considered a world leader in identifying and rolling out life-saving treatments for Covid-19, once they have been proven safe and effective in our government-backed clinical trials.
“This is fantastic news from the independent medicines regulator and means the UK has approved its first therapeutic designed specifically for Covid-19. This treatment will be a significant addition to our armoury to tackle Covid-19 – in addition to our world-renowned vaccination programme and life-saving therapeutics dexamethasone and tocilizumab.
“We are now working at pace with the NHS and expert clinicians to ensure this treatment can be rolled out to NHS patients as soon as possible.”
The MHRA’s interim chief quality and access officer, Dr Samantha Atkinson, said: “We are pleased to announce the approval of another therapeutic treatment that can be used to help save lives and protect against Covid-19.
“Ronapreve is the first of its kind for the treatment of Covid-19 and, after a meticulous assessment of the data by our expert scientists and clinicians, we are satisfied that this treatment is safe and effective.
“With no compromises on quality, safety and efficacy, the public can trust that the MHRA have conducted a robust and thorough assessment of all the available data.”
The regulator said the government and NHS would confirm how the treatment would be deployed to patients in due course.
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