Iran Press/ Europe: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said clinical trial data shows the drug Ronapreve could help prevent infection, help resolve symptoms of severe COVID-19 infection and reduce the chances of hospitalization.
"This treatment will be a significant addition to our armoury to tackle COVID-19," British health minister Sajid Javid said in a statement.
The news comes as hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients exceeded 6,100 this week, a five-month high. Two-thirds of hospitalized patients were not vaccinated, data showed earlier this month.
Ronapreve, known as REGEN-COV in the United States, can be taken via injection or infusion. It binds tightly to the coronavirus at the lining of the respiratory system and prevents it from gaining access to cells of the respiratory system, the MHRA said.
Ronapreve belongs to a class of drugs called monoclonal antibodies, which mimic natural antibodies produced by the body to fight off infections. The drug is not intended to be used as a substitute for vaccination, the MHRA said.
Javid said the government would start to roll out the therapy across the NHS as soon as possible.
It's the third therapy in the UK's arsenal in addition to generic steroid dexamethasone and arthritis drug tocilizumab, sold by Roche as Actemra and RoActemra.
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