According to an official announcement from the Ministry of Science and Technology of China on November 16, the country is preparing to approve a Covid-19 drug formulated using neutralizing monoclonal antibodies.
If this is the case, it will be the first Covid-19 drug in the world.
This drug was developed by Brii Biosciences, a multinational pharmaceutical company based in the US and China, in collaboration with scientists from Tsinghua University and Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital (China).
The new Covid-19 drug is said to reduce the risk of hospitalization and death for Covid-19 patients by 78%.
Monoclonal antibodies are protein molecules created in the laboratory that can function similarly to human antibodies. Brii Bio’s treatment combines two neutralizing monoclonal antibodies, BRII-196 and BRII-198, which were generated by cloning and combining antibodies found in recovered patients in China. The therapy is administered via infusion.
It is reported that Brii Bio applied for approval from the pharmaceutical regulatory agencies in China and the US last month after phase 3 trials provided promising interim data.
Specifically, interim data from an international trial indicated that this drug could reduce the risk of hospitalization and death for Covid-19 patients by 78% – according to information provided by Brii Bio. The interim results also showed that the drug is effective against Covid-19 variants such as Delta.
The drug trials were conducted on over 800 patients in China and other patients in Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, Argentina, and the Philippines.
According to the Daily Technology and Science Report (China), China has allocated 315 million yuan (approximately 49.3 million USD) for 53 research and development projects related to Covid-19 drugs and therapies since the pandemic began nearly two years ago.
Currently, China National Biotec Group (CNBG), a subsidiary of the pharmaceutical company Sinopharm, is developing two Covid-19 drugs, including one based on human immunoglobulin and other monoclonal antibodies. Mr. Zhang Yuntao, Vice President and Chief Scientist at CNBG, stated that clinical trials for this drug will be conducted in the United Arab Emirates, with results expected within the next year.
China’s top respiratory scientist, Zhong Nanshan, emphasized that finding effective drugs against Covid-19 will be crucial before China can reopen its borders.
The specific criteria for China to return to pre-pandemic normalcy, as outlined by scientist Zhong, include maintaining a case fatality rate at 0.1% and a coronavirus transmission range of 1.0 to 1.5 people.
