COVID-19 News: BAMLANIVIMAB monoclonal antibody therapy, cPass neutralization antibody detection kit, Enhancing clinical trial diversity, Policy for diagnostic tests, Coronavirus Treatment Acceleration Program, Fraudulent flu products
bamlanivimab investigational monoclonal antibody therapy
Eli Lilly
INDICATION: For patients with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing who are 12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kilograms, and who are at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization
ADDRESSING UNMET NEED: Monoclonal antibody for coronavirus treatment
MECHANISM OF ACTION: Monoclonal antibody that is specifically directed against the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, designed to block the virus’ attachment and entry into human cells
EFFECTIVENESS & SAFETY:
- Interim analysis from Phase II randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, n=465 non-hospitalized adults with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms; several doses of bamlanivimab vs placebo
- Primary endpoint: Change in viral load from baseline to day 11; similar outcomes
- Secondary endpoint: COVID-19-related hospitalizations or emergency room visits within 28 days after treatment; 3% for bamlanivimab vs.10% for placebo
REGULATORY PATHWAY; EUA, Coronavirus Treatment Acceleration Program
cPass SARS-CoV-2 Neutralization Antibody Detection Kit
GenScript
INDICATION: Qualitative detection of total neutralizing antibodies to SARSCoV-2 in human serum and K2-EDTA plasma. Intended for use as an aid in identifying individuals with an adaptive immune response to SARS-CoV-2, indicating recent or prior infection
Emergency use of this test is limited to authorized laboratories
ADDRESSING UNMET NEED: First serology test authorized to detect neutralizing antibodies from recent or prior COVID-19 infection
ASSAY PRINCIPLE: Blocking Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) intended for qualitative direct detection of total neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in human serum and K2-EDTA plasma
FDA Guidance: Enhancing the Diversity of Clinical Trial Populations
Clinical trials design of drugs and biologics to include different demographic characteristics (e.g., sex, race, ethnicity, age) and non-demographic characteristics (e.g., patients with organ dysfunction, comorbid conditions, and disabilities)
- Addresses health disparities
- Critical during the COVID-19 public health emergency as certain segments of the population are being affected by the virus in different ways
- Developers of CVOID-19 treatments or vaccines for COVID-19 should include diverse populations to understand their risks or benefits across all groups
FDA Guidance: Policy for Coronavirus Disease-2019 Tests During the Public Health Emergency (Revised)
To help rapidly expand testing capacity by facilitating development and use of SARS-CoV-2 tests during the public health emergency
- Two policies for accelerating the development of certain laboratory developed diagnostic tests for COVID-19
- EUA submission to FDA
- No EUA submission when test is developed under State authorities and the State takes responsibility
Coronavirus Treatment Acceleration Program (CTAP) update
Special emergency program for possible coronavirus therapies
- Accelerate patient availability of new treatments while maintaining statutory standrads for safety and effectiveness
- Accelerate development and publication of guidances and other information for industry on developing COVID-19-related treatments
Fraudulent Flu Products
Unproven products that claim to prevent, mitigate, treat, or cure the flu
- Not been FDA approved for safety and effectiveness; can be ineffective and dangerous
- Might cause people to delay, forgo, or stop the medical treatment they need, leading to serious and life-threatening harm
- Ingredients could lead to unexpected side effects and interactions with other medications
- Can be found online, including popular marketplaces, and in retail stores
- Labeled as dietary supplements, foods, hand sanitizers, nasal sprays, or devices
READ Warning Letters page Fraudulent product views
Image credit: FDA, GenScript