UK approves monoclonal antibody Ronapreve to treat COVID-19

Ronapreve is a combination of two drugs, ‘casirivimab’ and ‘imdevimab’, which are monoclonal antibodies.  

The two virus-neutralising antibodies that form Ronapreve work together to prevent the virus from attaching to human cells and causing infection, and also prevents further spread of infection in the body once a person has been infected. Studies show that when used as a treatment, and provided it is given as quickly as possible after first symptoms of illness, the treatment can reduce the length of illness and prevent hospitalisation and death from COVID-19 in infected people. It has also been shown to prevent illness in close contacts of infected individuals. 

This will be a valuable drug for people at higher risk from COVID-19. However there has not been any specific research yet on the impact of this treatment for people with lymphoma or other blood cancers, so we will continue to monitor progress and will let you know as soon as we have any more information. 

In the meantime, we recommend that all people affected by lymphoma should take up a COVID-19 vaccine, along with all close contacts where this is available. Read more about keeping yourself as safe as you can here and if you’d like to talk to someone, our helpline is available 10am to 3pm on freephone 0808 808 5555.

24 August 2021

Photograph: Stock photo