Regeneron's cocktail cuts virus hospitalization by 70%

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - Regeneron biotechnology firm said Tuesday that data from a final-stage trial showed that its coronavirus antibody cocktail reduced hospitalizations and deaths by 70%.

The company will share the results with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to request that "a lower 1,200 mg [milligrams] dose" be added to emergency use authorization.

The Phase 3 trial has been completed with 4,567 people infected with the virus who were at high risk of developing severe disease.

While the authorized full dose of 2,400 mg had a 71% lower risk of hospitalization or death, the company found out that half of the dose was nearly as effective with 70%.

The full dose of the antibody cocktail was approved by emergency use in November, after the experimental therapy given to former President Donald Trump when he contracted the coronavirus in October.

Trump praised the treatment he received from the Regeneron biotechnology firm and credited it for his recovery, saying: "I view it as a cure, not just a therapeutic. It made me better" and promised to make it free for Americans.

Regeneron may produce more doses of the treatment if its lower dose is approved by the authorities. The company previously stated that it is expecting to produce 750,000 doses by the end of the second quarter, based on the full dose.