Covid-19 monoclonal antibodies: after AIFA there is Hope's OK

After i Pfizer vaccines, Modern e AstraZeneca, a new weapon arrives in Italy to fight the coronavirus. It is about the monoclonal antibodies, whose authorization by theAIFA (Italian Medicines Agency) arrived last 3 February. In addition to AIFA, these particular antibodies have also received approval from the CTS (Scientific Technical Committee) and of the Minister of Health (outgoing) Roberto Speranza, who signed the decree authorizing its distribution in our country. As stated by the minister himself in a tweet, monoclonal antibodies will be "one more chance to fight Covid-19". However, their use will not be intended for hospitalized patients. This treatment will be reserved for those who have just contracted Covid-19 and are at risk of developing the virus in a serious form.

What are monoclonal antibodies and how they work

Antibodies to Covid-19 are produced in the laboratory, starting from the antibodies of patients who have already recovered. Their function is that of find the virus and block its playback before this spreads. The two monoclonal antibodies approved in Italy are those of Eli Lilly and regenerate (used as an experimental cure to heal Donald Trump by Covid-19). The first is a mix created with bamlanivimab antibodies e etesevimab, while the second includes antibodies casirivimab e imdevimab. Both antibodies, to be administered for intravenous infusion downtown 10 days since the virus was detected, they have a high probability of healing in the infected individual (i.e. 70% of mortality reduction). From the studies carried out, their beneficial effect would arrive within a few hours, but theirs duration it would however be limited to few months.

The biggest downside would be their price. Treatment with monoclonal antibodies could also cost up to 2000 euros per dose. However, the coverage of expenses will be managed with the funds allocated by the government with the decree August 2020 (300 million available for 2021). Therapy using monoclonal antibodies against Covid-19 could reduce the risk of new serious cases in intensive care. As the ReiThera vaccine, currently also in Italy are developing and producing monoclonal antibodies. These are those of the foundation Tuscany Life Sciences (TLS) which, as announced by the president of the Toscana, Eugenio Giani, they should already be available starting from May. If all goes well, thanks to the advancement of the vaccine plan and with the new precious resource of monoclonal antibodies, Italy could hope to see again in the next few months a small glimmer of "normality".