Regeneron's Maftivimab Recommended by WHO for Ebola Clinical Trials
Regeneron announced that maftivimab, the most potent neutralizing antibody included in Inmazeb, has been recommended by the World Health Organization's, or WHO, Therapeutics Advisory Group to be prioritized for evaluation in clinical trials of investigational treatments for Bundibugyo ebolavirus. Maftivimab has demonstrated broad activity in vitro against multiple Ebola species, including Bundibugyo. The trial pertains to the WHO's recent declaration that the current outbreak of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. WHO is now working closely with the governments of DRC and Uganda to facilitate the implementation of research evaluations of the prioritized products. "We are closely coordinating our efforts with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and look forward to working with the World Health Organization and others as clinical evaluation moves ahead," said Leonard S. Schleifer, board co-chair, president and CEO of Regeneron. "Regeneron has a track record of rapidly delivering important medical solutions during times of global health crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple Ebola outbreaks, and we know that independently run and locally executed clinical trials are critical to developing effective new medicines in such situations." Inmazeb is already approved by the FDA for the treatment of infection caused by Orthoebolavirus zairense, also known as Zaire ebolavirus, in adult and pediatric patients, including neonates born to infected mothers. Regeneron is working as quickly as possible to prepare existing supply of maftivimab for use in potential upcoming clinical trials. Supply of Inmazeb is already on the ground in the DRC, should WHO wish to utilize it for immediate treatment or as an additional component of the study.