The EU encourages anti-Govt treatments

The fifth wave of Govt-19 hit European countries, Those who are forced to accelerate the vaccination campaign and those who are taking new control measures. In this context, since November 12, the European Union has approved five anti-Govt treatments aimed at supporting the vaccine campaign.

On Thursday, December 16, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved two new therapies for Covit-19. “This brings to five the number of drugs approved under the EU’s treatment strategy, thereby achieving the goal we set in our strategy for 2021,” said European Health Commissioner Stella Krikites. Across the EU in the coming months “.

These accreditations were made by the Swiss laboratory Roche, Xevudy (sotrovimab) from the British multinational GlaxoSmithKline, and Swedish company Sobi’s Kineret, RoActemra or Actemra. Regirona From the South Korean company Celltrion, finally, Ronapreve was developed by American biotech regenerator and marketed by Roche. France 24 takes these therapeutic findings in the fight against Covit-19.

How these therapies work ?

Most of them are treatments with monoclonal antibodies, in other words synthetic antibodies. It is a well-known method used for many years to treat chronic autoimmune diseases or some cancers. “Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory synthesized proteins that mimic the immune system’s response to fight the corona virus. They target the ‘spike’ protein, thus preventing the virus from attaching to human cells.” The European Commission explains. They include Xevudy, Regkirona, Ronapreve and RoActemra.

On December 6, the EMA recommended expanding the use of tocilizumab, a monoclonal antibody marketed under the name Actemra or RoActemra, to treat more severe Covid-19 patients.

>> Read more: “Beginning of Vaccination of Children Against Govt-19: ‘We Should Not Hold Back'”

“When included in standard treatment, it can be effective in reducing the number of deaths and hospital stays of patients suffering from COVID-19,” he said. You can read it on the EMA website. The drug, which is used to treat inflammatory-type forms of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis or juvenile arthritis, is now known to fight the runway immune system, which appears to be the source of severe forms of Govit-19.

Ginseng therapy is already used to treat arthritis and inflammatory diseases. It is an immunosuppressive drug: it inhibits the activity of a chemical messenger that is involved in immune processes leading to inflammation. It can “prevent severe respiratory distress in Govit-19 patients”, According to EMA. Its use is therefore “extended to the treatment of Govit-19 in adult patients requiring supplement oxygen (…) and at risk of developing acute respiratory failure (…)”.

Who can benefit?

Currently, a large number of EMA approved treatments are not recommended. Often, they are aimed at vulnerable people, who are more susceptible to developing severe forms of the disease.

Prior to their marketing recognition, Xevudy, Regkirona and Ronapreve underwent extensive research, making it possible to specify which cases would be most effective. For example, Xevudy “dramatically reduces” hospitalization of at-risk patients. Therefore, it is “designed for Covit-19 treatment in adults and adolescents who do not require extra oxygen and are at high risk for disease severity,” the EMA said. The same goes for Regirona. In contrast, RoActemra is recommended for adult patients who require extra oxygen or mechanical ventilation.

In what form do we see them?

Currently, in Europe, all five drugs are not available in pill form. They are delivered by intravenous infusion or subcutaneous injection, which makes their use less convenient. But two pills Pfizer’s Paxlovit And Molnupiravir from American Merck, Raise confidence. Unlike monoclonal antibodies, these two drugs are antivirals: they reduce the ability of the virus to replicate and slow down disease. EMA has approved the emergency use of Paxlovid without granting full European marketing approval. Regarding molnubrivir (marketed as Lagevrio), EMA has left individual member states to decide on its use. On Thursday, Denmark became the first country in the European Union to recognize molnupravir for patients at risk with symptoms.

Which are recognized in France?

In France, the High Authority for Health (HAS) has refused to recognize molluscum contagiosum in its soil, which is considered insufficient and prefers Ronapreve. The latter combines two monoclonal antibodies, Covit-19 and is used in hospitalized patients. This drug may be prescribed to patients who have not been injected and have not developed their own antibodies.

Also, these monoclonal antibodies are expensive to produce. “The cost of these antibodies is high due to the production method using biotechnology and the process of synthesis by selected bacteria or cells from natural antibodies capable of producing specific antibodies.” The French Ministry of Health explains.

On December 10, a senior health official also gave the green light to Evusheld treatment from the AstraZeneca lab without waiting for the EMA to end. However, this drug should be used in early access and for “adults who are ill or not protected by the vaccine and who are at high risk for the severe form of Covid-19”. HAS writes.

Are they effective against the Omigron variant?

As with vaccines, there are doubts about the effectiveness of these therapies against the Omigran variant. Immunologist Lawrence Weiss explained to the Liberation newspaper. For example, for Regirona, “This is a monotherapy [un seul type d’anticorps] With a theoretical risk of escaping treatment, it loses its action against Omigran like Ronabrive.

>> Read more: “Govit-19: What Do We Know About the Omigron Variation?”

Yet in the case of monoclonal therapies, they “do not change the vaccine in any way, but make it possible to protect patients with immunodeficiency or rare individuals who cannot be vaccinated. [Evusheld] Omicron should be effective in variation, but it needs to be proven, ”he added. 20 minutes in a press conference. For its part, GSK Laboratory confirmed that its anti-Govt drug was “safe” Test action“Against the Omicron variant.