First treatment of any kind to have prospectively confirmed and statistically significant anti-viral activity against SARS-CoV-2
Authorized for recently diagnosed, mild to moderate COVID-19 in high-risk patients
Initial doses will be made available to approximately 300,000
patients, with no medication out-of-pocket costs, under U.S. government
allocation program
TARRYTOWN, N.Y., November 21, 2020 – Regeneron
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) today announced that the antibody
cocktail casirivimab and imdevimab administered together (formerly known
as REGN-COV2 or REGEN-COV2), a therapy currently being investigated for
use in COVID-19, has received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Casirivimab and imdevimab
administered together are authorized for the treatment of mild to
moderate COVID-19 in adults, as well as in pediatric patients at least
12 years of age and weighing at least 40 kg, who have received positive
results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing and are at high risk for
progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization. The clinical
evidence from Regeneron’s outpatient trial suggests that monoclonal
antibodies such as casirivimab and imdevimab have the greatest benefit
when given early after diagnosis and in patients who have not yet
mounted their own immune response or who have high viral load.
The criteria for ‘high-risk’ patients are described in the Fact Sheet for Health Care Providers.
Casirivimab and imdevimab are not authorized for use in patients who
are hospitalized or require oxygen therapy due to COVID-19, or for
people currently using chronic oxygen therapy because of an underlying
comorbidity who require an increase in baseline oxygen flow rate due to
COVID-19.
“This FDA Emergency Use Authorization is an important step in the
fight against COVID-19, as high-risk patients in the United States will
have access to a promising therapy early in the course of their
infection,” said Leonard S. Schleifer, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief
Executive Officer of Regeneron. “The science and technology investments
Regeneron has made over three decades positioned us to move rapidly to
invent, study and maximize production of our antibody cocktail. Even
with these incredible efforts, demand may exceed supply initially,
making it even more critical that federal and state governments ensure
the casirivimab and imdevimab antibody cocktail is distributed fairly
and equitably to the patients most in need. In the first quarter of
2021, we expect to increase available global supply as we continue our
collaboration with Roche.”
“The casirivimab and imdevimab antibody cocktail is designed to mimic
what a well-functioning immune system does by using very potent
antibodies to neutralize the virus,” said George D. Yancopoulos, M.D.,
Ph.D., President and Chief Scientific Officer of Regeneron. “Data from
approximately 800 non-hospitalized patients showed significant
reductions in virus levels within days of receiving the combination,
which were associated with significantly fewer medical visits. This
benefit was greatest in patients most at risk for poor outcomes due to
high viral load, ineffective immune response at baseline or pre-existing
risk factors. We are encouraged that no variants resistant to the
cocktail were identified in the clinical trial analyses to date, which
is consistent with our preclinical findings. We are also very encouraged
by recently announced promising vaccine results; however, there remains
a need to treat patients who develop COVID-19, especially as some may
not have had access to or were not protected by vaccination.
Importantly, we continue to advance our rigorous clinical trial program
evaluating the safety and efficacy of the antibody cocktail for both the
treatment and prevention of COVID-19, and we will share new results as
available.”
Production of monoclonal antibodies is a complex, time- and
labor-intensive process that requires deep expertise. Utilizing
production and manufacturing platforms developed over decades, Regeneron
rapidly scaled up production of casirivimab and imdevimab, beginning in
the early days of the pandemic with support from the Biomedical
Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Office
of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services. Regeneron now expects to have
treatment doses ready for approximately 80,000 patients by the end of
November, approximately 200,000 patients by the first week of January,
and approximately 300,000 patients in total by the end of January 2021.
As part of Operation Warp Speed, in July
the U.S. government and Regeneron signed an agreement for this initial
supply of the casirivimab and imdevimab antibody cocktail. The U.S.
government will coordinate with state authorities to allocate the
antibody cocktail on a weekly basis based on the number of COVID-19
cases in each state. The government has committed to providing these
300,000 doses at no cost to patients, although healthcare facilities may
charge fees related to administration. Regeneron will immediately begin
shipping doses to Amerisource Bergen, a national distributor, which
will distribute the therapy as directed by the government.
Under the EUA, the recommended dose is 1,200 mg of casirivimab and
1,200 mg of imdevimab (2,400 mg total) administered as a single
intravenous infusion. The authorization is based on positive Phase 2
data announced in September and October
from the first 799 adults in an ongoing randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled trial of non-hospitalized patients (“outpatients”)
with COVID-19.
The FDA grants Emergency Use Authorization to medicines that may help
diagnose, treat or prevent a life-threatening disease when adequate and
approved alternatives are not available. The EUA is temporary and does
not take the place of a formal biologics license application (BLA)
submission review and approval process. This use is authorized only for
the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the
authorization of the emergency use, unless terminated or revoked sooner.
Casirivimab and imdevimab have not been approved by FDA and remain
investigational. Evaluation of its safety and efficacy is ongoing in
multiple clinical trials. Data from these trials will be used to support
a future BLA submission. Health care providers should review the Fact
Sheet for detailed information on the authorized use and requirements of
the EUA and may call 844-734-6643 for more information. Please see the
Fact Sheet and FDA Letter of Authorization at http://www.RegeneronEUA.com
The casirivimab and imdevimab combination therapy continues to be
evaluated in Phase 2/3 clinical trials for the treatment of COVID-19 in
certain hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients, the Phase 3
open-label RECOVERY trial of hospitalized patients in the UK, and a
Phase 3 trial for the prevention of COVID-19 in household contacts of
infected individuals. To date, more than 7,000 people have participated
in casirivimab and imdevimab clinical trials.
About Regeneron Antibody Cocktail
Casirivimab and imdevimab injection is a cocktail of two monoclonal
antibodies (also known as REGN10933 and REGN10987, respectively) and was
designed specifically to block infectivity of SARS-CoV-2, the virus
that causes COVID-19.
To develop this novel medicine, Regeneron scientists evaluated thousands of fully-human antibodies produced by the company's VelocImmune®
mice, which have been genetically modified to have a human immune
system, as well as antibodies identified from humans who have recovered
from COVID-19. The two potent, virus-neutralizing antibodies that form
the cocktail bind non-competitively to the critical receptor binding
domain of the virus's spike protein, which diminishes the ability of
mutant viruses to escape treatment and protects against spike variants
that have arisen in the human population, as detailed in Science.
The development and manufacturing of the antibody cocktail has been
funded in part with federal funds from BARDA under OT number:
HHSO100201700020C. Regeneron continues to increase in-house production
of casirivimab and imdevimab, and the company has partnered
with Roche to increase the global supply beginning in 2021. If the
therapy proves safe and effective in clinical trials and regulatory
approvals are granted, Regeneron will manufacture and distribute it in
the U.S. and Roche will develop, manufacture and distribute it outside
the U.S. Once both companies are at full manufacturing capacity in 2021,
there are expected to be at least 2 million treatment doses available
annually.
AUTHORIZED USE AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Authorized Emergency Use
Casirivimab and imdevimab injection is an investigational combination
therapy and has been authorized by FDA for the emergency use described
above. Casirivimab and imdevimab injection is not FDA approved for any
use. Safety and effectiveness of casirivimab and imdevimab injection
have not yet been established for the treatment of COVID-19.
This authorized use is only for the duration of the declaration that
circumstances exist justifying the authorization of the emergency use
under section 564 (b)(1) of the Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360bbb-3(b) (1), unless
the authorization is terminated or revoked sooner.
Limitations of Authorized Use
- Casirivimab and imdevimab injection is not authorized for use in patients:
- who are hospitalized due to COVID-19, OR
- who require oxygen therapy due to COVID-19, OR
- who require an increase in baseline oxygen flow rate due to
COVID-19 in those on chronic oxygen therapy due to underlying
non-COVID-19 related comorbidity.
- Benefit of treatment with casirivimab and imdevimab
injection has not been observed in patients hospitalized due to
COVID-19. Monoclonal antibodies, such as casirivimab and imdevimab, may
be associated with worse clinical outcomes when administered to
hospitalized patients requiring high flow oxygen or mechanical
ventilation with COVID-19.
Definition of High-Risk Patients
High-risk is defined as patients who meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Have a body mass index (BMI) ≥35
- Have chronic kidney disease
- Have diabetes
- Have immunosuppressive disease
- Are currently receiving immunosuppressive treatment
- Are ≥65 years of age
- Are ≥55 years of age AND have
- cardiovascular disease, OR
- hypertension, OR
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/other chronic respiratory disease.
- Are 12 – 17 years of age AND have
- BMI ≥85th percentile for their age and gender based on CDC growth
charts, OR
- sickle cell disease, OR
- congenital or acquired heart disease, OR
- neurodevelopmental disorders, for example, cerebral palsy, OR
- a medical-related technological dependence, for example,
tracheostomy, gastrostomy, or positive pressure ventilation (not related
to COVID-19),
OR
- asthma, reactive airway or other chronic respiratory disease that requires daily medication for control.
Warnings and Precautions:
- Hypersensitivity Including Anaphylaxis and Infusion-Related Reactions:
There is a potential for serious hypersensitivity reaction, including
anaphylaxis, with administration of casirivimab and imdevimab injection.
If signs or symptoms of a clinically significant hypersensitivity
reaction or anaphylaxis occur, immediately discontinue administration
and initiate appropriate medications and/or supportive therapy.
Infusion-related reactions have been observed with administration of
casirivimab and imdevimab injection. Signs and symptoms of infusion
related reactions may include fever, chills, nausea, headache,
bronchospasm, hypotension, angioedema, throat irritation, rash including
urticaria, pruritus, myalgia, and/or dizziness. If an infusion-related
reaction occurs, consider slowing or stopping the infusion and
administer appropriate medications and/or supportive care.
- Limitations of Benefit and Potential for Risk in Patients with Severe COVID-19:
Benefit of treatment with casirivimab and imdevimab injection has not
been observed in patients hospitalized due to COVID-19. Monoclonal
antibodies, such as casirivimab and imdevimab, may be associated with
worse clinical outcomes when administered to hospitalized patients
requiring high flow oxygen or mechanical ventilation with COVID-19.
Therefore, casirivimab and imdevimab injection is not authorized for use
in who are hospitalized due to COVID-19, OR who require oxygen therapy
due to COVID-19, OR who require an increase in baseline oxygen flow rate
due to COVID-19 in those on chronic oxygen therapy due to underlying
non-COVID-19 related comorbidity.
Adverse Reactions:
- Serious adverse events (SAEs) were reported in 4 (1.6%) patients
in the casirivimab and imdevimab injection 2,400 mg group, 2 (0.8%)
patients in casirivimab and imdevimab injection 8,000 mg group and 6
(2.3%) patients in the placebo group. None of the SAEs were considered
to be related to study drug. SAEs that were reported as Grade 3 or 4
adverse events were pneumonia, hyperglycemia, nausea and vomiting (2,400
mg casirivimab and imdevimab injection), intestinal obstruction and
dyspnea (8,000 mg casirivimab and imdevimab injection) and COVID-19,
pneumonia and hypoxia (placebo). Casirivimab and imdevimab injection are
not authorized at the 8,000 mg dose (4,000 mg casirivimab and 4,000 mg
imdevimab).
Patient Monitoring Recommendations: Clinically monitor patients during infusion and observe patients for at least 1 hour after infusion is complete.
Use in Specific Populations:
- Pregnancy: There is currently limited clinical
experience in the use of casirivimab and imdevimab injection in COVID-19
patients who are pregnant. Casirivimab and imdevimab injection therapy
should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies
the potential risk for the mother and the fetus.
- Nursing Mothers: There is currently no clinical
experience in use of casirivimab and imdevimab injection in COVID-19
patients who are breastfeeding. The development and health benefits of
breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need
for casirivimab and imdevimab injection and any potential adverse
effects on the breastfed child from casirivimab and imdevimab injection
or from the underlying maternal condition.
About Regeneron
Regeneron (NASDAQ: REGN) is a leading biotechnology company that invents
life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Founded
and led for over 30 years by physician-scientists, our unique ability to
repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has led to
eight FDA-approved treatments and numerous product candidates in
development, all of which were homegrown in our laboratories. Our
medicines and pipeline are designed to help patients with eye diseases,
allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic
diseases, pain, infectious diseases and rare diseases.
Regeneron is accelerating and improving the traditional drug development process through our proprietary VelociSuite® technologies, such as VelocImmune,
which uses unique genetically-humanized mice to produce optimized
fully-human antibodies and bispecific antibodies, and through ambitious
research initiatives such as the Regeneron Genetics Center, which is
conducting one of the largest genetics sequencing efforts in the world.
For additional information about the company, please visit www.regeneron.com or follow @Regeneron on Twitter.
Forward-Looking Statements and Use of Digital Media
This
press release includes forward-looking statements that involve risks
and uncertainties relating to future events and the future performance
of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Regeneron" or the "Company"), and
actual events or results may differ materially from these
forward-looking statements. Words such as "anticipate," "expect,"
"intend," "plan," "believe," "seek," "estimate," variations of such
words, and similar expressions are intended to identify such
forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements
contain these identifying words. These statements concern, and these
risks and uncertainties include, among others, the impact of SARS-CoV-2
(the virus that has caused the COVID-19 pandemic) on Regeneron's
business and its employees, collaborators, and suppliers and other third
parties on which Regeneron relies, Regeneron's and its collaborators'
ability to continue to conduct research and clinical programs (including
those discussed in this press release), Regeneron's ability to manage
its supply chain, net product sales of products marketed or otherwise
commercialized by Regeneron and/or its collaborators (collectively,
"Regeneron's Products"), and the global economy; the nature, timing, and
possible success and therapeutic applications of Regeneron's Products
and product candidates and research and clinical programs now underway
or planned, including without limitation the development program
relating to casirivimab and imdevimab (Regeneron's
investigational multi-antibody therapy for the treatment and prevention
of COVID-19); how long the Emergency Use Authorization (“EUA”) granted
by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) for casirivimab and imdevimab will
remain in effect and whether the EUA is revoked by the FDA based on its
determination that the underlying health emergency no longer exists or
warrants such authorization or other reasons; the likelihood, timing,
and scope of possible regulatory approval and commercial launch of
Regeneron's product candidates (such as casirivimab and imdevimab)
and new indications for Regeneron's Products; safety issues resulting
from the administration of Regeneron's Products and product candidates
(such as casirivimab and imdevimab) in patients,
including serious complications or side effects in connection with the
use of Regeneron's Products and product candidates in clinical trials
(including those discussed in this press release); the ability of
Regeneron to manufacture in anticipated quantities Regeneron’s Products
and product candidates, including casirivimab and imdevimab;
the ability of Regeneron to manage supply chains for multiple products
and product candidates; the ability of Regeneron's collaborators,
suppliers, or other third parties (as applicable) to perform
manufacturing, filling, finishing, packaging, labeling, distribution,
and other steps related to Regeneron's Products and product candidates;
uncertainty of market acceptance and commercial success of Regeneron's
Products and product candidates and the impact of studies (whether
conducted by Regeneron or others and whether mandated or voluntary),
including the trials discussed in this press release, on any potential
regulatory approval (including with respect to casirivimab and imdevimab)
and/or the commercial success of Regeneron's Products and product
candidates; determinations by regulatory and administrative governmental
authorities which may delay or restrict Regeneron's ability to continue
to develop or commercialize Regeneron's Products and product
candidates, including without limitation casirivimab and imdevimab;
ongoing regulatory obligations and oversight impacting Regeneron's
Products, research and clinical programs, and business, including those
relating to patient privacy; the availability and extent of
reimbursement of Regeneron's Products from third-party payers, including
private payer healthcare and insurance programs, health maintenance
organizations, pharmacy benefit management companies, and government
programs such as Medicare and Medicaid; coverage and reimbursement
determinations by such payers and new policies and procedures adopted by
such payers; competing drugs and product candidates that may be
superior to, or more cost effective than, Regeneron's Products and
product candidates; the extent to which the results from the research
and development programs conducted by Regeneron and/or its collaborators
may be replicated in other studies and/or lead to advancement of
product candidates to clinical trials, therapeutic applications, or
regulatory approval; unanticipated expenses; the costs of developing,
producing, and selling products; the ability of Regeneron to meet any of
its financial projections or guidance and changes to the assumptions
underlying those projections or guidance; the potential for any license,
collaboration, or supply agreement, including Regeneron's agreements
with Sanofi, Bayer, and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (or their
respective affiliated companies, as applicable), as well as Regeneron's
collaboration with Roche relating to casirivimab and imdevimab,
to be cancelled or terminated; and risks associated with intellectual
property of other parties and pending or future litigation relating
thereto (including without limitation the patent litigation and other
related proceedings relating to EYLEA® (aflibercept) Injection, Dupixent® (dupilumab), and Praluent® (alirocumab)),
other litigation and other proceedings and government investigations
relating to the Company and/or its operations, the ultimate outcome of
any such proceedings and investigations, and the impact any of the
foregoing may have on Regeneron's business, prospects, operating
results, and financial condition. A more complete description of these
and other material risks can be found in Regeneron's filings with
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2019 and its Form 10-Q for the quarterly
period ended September 30, 2020. Any forward-looking statements are made
based on management's current beliefs and judgment, and the reader is
cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking statements made by
Regeneron. Regeneron does not undertake any obligation to update
(publicly or otherwise) any forward-looking statement, including without
limitation any financial projection or guidance, whether as a result of
new information, future events, or otherwise.
Regeneron uses its media and investor relations website and
social media outlets to publish important information about the Company,
including information that may be deemed material to investors.
Financial and other information about Regeneron is routinely posted and
is accessible on Regeneron's media and investor relations website (http://newsroom.regeneron.com) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/regeneron).
Contacts:
Media Relations
Alexandra Bowie
Tel: +1 (914) 847-3407
[email protected]
Investor Relations
Mark Hudson
Tel: +1 (914) 847-3482
[email protected]