Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of bebtelovimab, has stopped distributing the antibody treatment, the FDA said.
The evolution of COVID-19has already rendered many monoclonal antibody treatments ineffective.
The bebtelovimab news marks the removal of yet another tool from the arsenal to defend against COVID-19.
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It is not a surprising move.
Neutralizing antibody levels were low to undetectable against BQ.1.1 four months after boosting.
For people with weakened immune systems, monoclonal antibodies are preferable to antivirals, Gallagher said.
Paxlovid, for instance, interacts with many medications that might be essential for immunocompromised people.
It isnt that Paxlovid or other antivirals wont work in them.
Its just the most obvious deficit that patients have is the antibody response from vaccinations.
We basically could give that to them as a monoclonal, but now we cant, Gallagher said.
What Other COVID-19 Treatments Are Available Now?
TheantiviralLagevrio (molnupiravir)is also an oral medication.
Both Lagevrio and Paxlovid work by blocking the virus from replicating.
But it must be given intravenously over several days, making it an inconvenient option for most people.
Immunocompromised individuals can also receive COVID-19 convalescent plasma.
For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID data tracker: variant proportions.
National Institutes of Health.COVID-19 treatment guide: anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies.
