Resource: South African Covid variant appears to ‘obviate’ antibody drugs, Dr. Scott Gottlieb says
Source: CNBC
Synopsis: The South African variant is also known as 501.V2, and in mid-December officials reported that 501.V2 had been largely replacing other strains of the coronavirus as early as November. “The South Africa variant is very concerning right now because it does appear that it may obviate some of our medical countermeasures, particularly the antibody drugs,” Dr. Scott Gottlieb said.
Comment: Recently approved monoclonal antibody drugs may not be effective against The COVID-19 South African variant. Casirivimab and Imdevimab used in combination and Bamlanivimab used alone have received emergency use authorization by the FDA to treat COVID-19 infection which requires hospitalization. However, there is no indication that the antiviral drug Veklury (Remdesivir) is ineffective against the COVID-19 South African variant. The new COVID-19 Vaccines will still be effective against the COVID-19 South African variant. The United Kingdom COVID-19 variants are now ubiquitous in the United States and are not showing an increase in morbidity or mortality; however, they may be more infectious. The United Kingdom COVID-19 variants do respond to monoclonal antibody therapy and antiviral therapy as outlined above.
