Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has, of course, been a lot of effort to make new drugs to effectively control the virus and stop its progression. Ronapreve is one such drug that has been shown to significantly decrease viral load (the amount of virus that can be detected in someone) in patients with COVID-19.
Ronapreve is a new drug currently under development and it is facing patient trials before it can be approved for use.
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Ronapreve works by blocking the infectivity of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. The drug can do this because it is a combination of 2 monoclonal antibodies (antibodies that only recognize a certain type of substance), casirivimab and imdevimab. Antibodies are special molecules produced by our immune systems that neutralize the virus by attaching to the spike protein of the virus, preventing it from entering cells and signaling to the body that the virus should be destroyed. While antibodies can be made to attach to any part of the virus, the spike protein was chosen because it is a universal structure in all the different variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Antibodies that are produced to target the spike protein make it less likely that mutations of the virus escape treatment and also protect against future variants.
The Ronapreve study finished phase II/III of its trials and there have been very promising results. Participants in the trials were hospitalized patients who received either 8,000 mg of Ronapreve, 2,400 mg of Ronapreve, or a placebo. The trial showed that the drug significantly reduced patients’ viral load within seven days, especially if they had not had a natural antibody response on their own and they required no supplemental oxygen.
In addition to treating COVID-19, Ronapreve has also shown preventative results. People who tested negative initially were 66% less likely to develop COVID-19 within 96 hours of contact with someone with COVID-19. Additionally, those who did contract the virus and had symptoms were more likely to have their symptoms resolve quickly (in 1.2 weeks compared to 3.2). As a result, Ronapreve has been able to market itself as a COVID-19 prevention and treatment drug in the UK.
While there have been many developments in COVID-19 treatments, preventing COVID-19 is still the safest bet for the community and for individuals. Preventing infection stops the onset of symptoms that can cause permanent, irreversible damage to the body, and it also helps stop the spread of the virus. Nonetheless, the development of drugs such as Ronapreve is a step forward for helping those who have already developed symptoms and are suffering from COVID-19.
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