Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Shares Up 13% on Covid-19 Treatment >REGN
By Chris Wack
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. shares were up 13% to $496.10 after the company said its scientists have isolated hundreds of virus-neutralizing, fully human antibodies from the company's VelocImmune mice, which have been genetically-modified to have a human immune system.
The biotechnology company said it has also isolated antibodies from humans who have recovered from Covid-19 to maximize the pool of potentially potent antibodies.
From this large pool of candidates, Regeneron will 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, and begin production in April, and could start human clinical trials by the summer.
The company said using a multi-antibody approach allows for targeting of different parts of the virus and may help protect against multiple viral variants. Regeneron previously used these technologies to rapidly develop a successful treatment for Ebola virus infection, which is currently under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The company is working with the U.S. Health & Human Services' Biomedical Advanced Research and Defense Authority to increase capacity even further.
Regeneron said its SARS-CoV-2 antibodies will target the spike protein to block its interaction with the host cell and neutralize the virus.
On Monday, Regeneron and Sanofi also announced the initiation of a Phase 2/3 clinical trial evaluating Kevzara sarilumab in patients hospitalized with severe Covid-19. Kevzara inhibits interleukin-6, which may play a role in driving the overactive inflammatory response in the lungs of patients who are severely or critically ill with Covid-19.
Write to Chris Wack at chris.wack@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
March 17, 2020 12:35 ET (16:35 GMT)
Regeneron's novel approach to developing a coronavirus therapy
https://www.cnbc.com/video/2020/03/17/regenerons-novel-approach-to-developing-a-coronavirus-therapy.html?__source=iosappshare%7Ccom.apple.UIKit.activity.Message
By Chris Wack
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. shares were up 13% to $496.10 after the company said its scientists have isolated hundreds of virus-neutralizing, fully human antibodies from the company's VelocImmune mice, which have been genetically-modified to have a human immune system.
The biotechnology company said it has also isolated antibodies from humans who have recovered from Covid-19 to maximize the pool of potentially potent antibodies.
From this large pool of candidates, Regeneron will 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, and begin production in April, and could start human clinical trials by the summer.
The company said using a multi-antibody approach allows for targeting of different parts of the virus and may help protect against multiple viral variants. Regeneron previously used these technologies to rapidly develop a successful treatment for Ebola virus infection, which is currently under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The company is working with the U.S. Health & Human Services' Biomedical Advanced Research and Defense Authority to increase capacity even further.
Regeneron said its SARS-CoV-2 antibodies will target the spike protein to block its interaction with the host cell and neutralize the virus.
On Monday, Regeneron and Sanofi also announced the initiation of a Phase 2/3 clinical trial evaluating Kevzara sarilumab in patients hospitalized with severe Covid-19. Kevzara inhibits interleukin-6, which may play a role in driving the overactive inflammatory response in the lungs of patients who are severely or critically ill with Covid-19.
Write to Chris Wack at chris.wack@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
March 17, 2020 12:35 ET (16:35 GMT)
Regeneron's novel approach to developing a coronavirus therapy
https://www.cnbc.com/video/2020/03/17/regenerons-novel-approach-to-developing-a-coronavirus-therapy.html?__source=iosappshare%7Ccom.apple.UIKit.activity.Message
