COVID-19 antibody cocktail launched | Fusion - WeRIndia

To treat high risk non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients, Roche India and Cipla Limited announced the launch of antibody cocktail, Casirivimab and Imdevimab in India.

The cocktail will be administered intravenously at four points on the abdomen or thigh. The required dose per patient is 1200 mg, which is priced at ₹59,750 per dose. The multi-dose pack comprises 2400mg which can treat two patients. The price of the pack is ₹1,19,500. Cipla Limited will distribute the two-dose pack.

While the first batch of the cocktail has been launched in the country, the second batch will be available by mid-June. Initially, 1,00,000 multi-dose packs have been launched by the company. They will benefit two lakh patients, as each pack can treat two patients.

Each pack of antibody cocktail has two vials, one each of Casirivimab and Imdevimab, each vial has 1200mg. Thus, each pack contains 2400mg of dose and can treat two patients as each one needs 1200mg.

The antibody cocktail can be used by patients above 12 years. The minimum weight of the patient should be 40 kg to use this cocktail. It will improve the condition of the patient by easing the symptoms. Using the antibody cocktail will reduce the chances of hospitalization by 70%. There is no need of extra oxygen for such patients.

The Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) has granted the Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) for the antibody cocktail. Besides, it was approved in many EU and the US for emergency use authorization.

The vials should be stored at a cold temperature of 2°C to 8°C. The opened vial has to be used within 48 hours by storing at the above temperature. That means, if the vial is opened for a patient, then the remaining dose shall be used for another patient within 48 hours.

Casirivimab and Imdevimab are monoclonal antibodies or proteins.  These monoclonal antibodies mimic the immune system so that they can fight against pathogens like viruses.

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