Regeneron Up On Identification Of Antibodies For Coronavirus
Zacks Investment Research | Mar 17, 2020 10:27PM ET
Shares of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:REGN) are up 11.54% after it announced that it has identified antibodies, which can possibly treat COVID-19.
The company is developing a novel multi-antibody cocktail that can be administered as prophylaxis before exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus or as a treatment for those already infected.
Regeneron has now isolated hundreds of virus-neutralizing, fully-human antibodies from its VelocImmune mice, which have been genetically-modified to have a human immune system. The company has also isolated antibodies from humans who have recovered from COVID-19 to maximize the pool of potent antibodies.
The company plans to select the top two antibodies for a 'cocktail' treatment based on potency and binding ability to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein as well as other desirable qualities.
A positive outcome will be a great boost for Regeneron and is much needed, given the widespread outbreak.
Regeneron is producing hundreds of thousands of prophylactic doses per month and hopes to have smaller quantities available for initial clinical testing at the beginning of the summer.
Regeneron previously used these technologies to rapidly develop a successful treatment for the Ebola virus infection. This treatment is currently under review in the United States.
Earlier, Regeneron and partner Sanofi (PA:SASY) announced a program to evaluate their rheumatoid arthritis (RA) drug, Kevzara, to treat patients hospitalized with severe infection due to COVID-19.
Regeneron has been in the spotlight since last month as it is one of the frontrunners in the race to develop treatments to combat this deadly virus Its shares have gained 31% this year so far against the Original post
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