Monoclonal antibodies and Covid: none of the three treatments available so far is effective if the infection is due to the Omicron variant

Faced with the impact of the Omicron variant on the coronavirus epidemic in France, Santé Publique France has updated information relating to the use of monoclonal antibodies and other treatments in connection with the evolution of the Covid epidemic -19.

With the appearance of the Omicron variant, research into treatments continues and monoclonal antibodies are the most advanced alternative. Monoclonal antibodies specifically target the spike protein, or “spike” in English, located on the surface of SARS-CoV-2, thus neutralizing the ability of the virus to bind and enter human cells.

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Thus, in the context of the active circulation of the Omicron variant, Santé Publique France is addressing health professionals, in conjunction with the Ministry of Solidarity and Health, to specify the efficacy recognized to date of treatments based on of monoclonal antibodies available and their new conditions of use in curative and prophylaxis (prophylaxis refers to the active or passive process aimed at preventing the onset, spread or aggravation of a disease, as opposed to curative therapy, which aims to cure it …, Editor’s note).

The current circulation situation in France of the Omicron variant, the majority on the territory, carrying multiple mutations sources of immune escape and partially or totally resistant to the neutralizing activity of certain monoclonal antibodies, leads to an update of the information relating to their use in various curative and prophylactic medical situations.

Currently in France, three treatments based on monoclonal antibodies are subject to early access authorization for the care of people at high risk of severe form of Covid-19 disease.

French health authorities have reduced the range of anti-Covid treatments using synthetic antibodies, noting that some were not effective enough against the new Omicron variant.

Here are the three treatments authorized in France:

Ronapreve : active against the Delta variant but not on the Omicron variant. This treatment should be reserved for cases of infection with the Delta variant. In the event of infection with the Omicron variant, Ronapreve should not be administered.

Evusheld : active against the Delta variant, the combination of the two antibodies retains a neutralizing activity despite a partial loss of activity on the Omicron variant.

Bamlanivimab : non-optimal activity on the Delta variant and inactive on the Omicron variant. Its temporary authorization for use has been suspended since December 31, 2021; that of bamlanivimab (alone), which was no longer used since the availability of combinations of antibodies, has been definitively closed.

dgs-urgent__2022-03_acm_ by The Independent on Scribd

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