UW, Fred Hutch researchers recruiting patients for Regeneron antibody trial

Researchers at UW Medicine and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center are recruiting people to test the same experimental antibody drug REGN-COV2 made by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals that the president received for COVID-19.

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There will be 2,000 people at more than 100 sites across the country who will take part in the trial to assess the safety and effectiveness of this drug, which have not yet been proven.

Researchers are seeking uninfected people who have had close exposure to COVID-19 from family members or housemates infected with the coronavirus. UW Medicine’s Dr. Ruanne Barnabas, associate professor of global health and allergy and infectious diseases, says they’ll test to find out if the antibodies prevent people exposed to the disease from getting infected themselves.

She says they’re excited about Regeneron because the drug might stop new infections and community spread of the virus. Barnabas says they want to know how the drug works and if it’s safe.

“As the globe surpasses 1 million reported deaths from COVID-19, it is clear that we need better tools to fight this infection,” said co-investigator Dr. Shelly Karuna with the HIV Vaccine Trials Network at Fred Hutch. “Monoclonal antibodies could help us achieve an end to the pandemic.”

Monoclonal antibodies are intended to provide immediate antiviral activity that lasts several weeks, according to the release from UW Medicine. There are a number of other trials happening locally and across the United States testing monoclonal antibodies for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

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“This is an exciting opportunity to get an investigational monoclonal antibody at Harborview Medical Center that could prevent COVID-19,” Barnabas said.

Call 206.773.7129 for enrollment details or visit this website to see if you qualify.