BA.2 Virus Variant Curtails Monoclonal Antibody Treatment Effectiveness Along East Coast

The U.S. HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) announced late on Mar. 25, 2022, it paused the distribution of sotrovimab, a monoclonal antibody (mAbs) treatment in states located in Regions 1 & 2.

This ASPR action is in reaction to the SARS-CoV-2 virus variant Omicron's sublineage BA.2 exceeding 50% activity in HHS Regions 1 & 2 according to the CDC's Data Tracker.

The U.S. FDA recommends that health care providers in all states in these Regions use alternative authorized therapy until further notice.

Previously, two FDA Authorized mAbs were 'Paused' for similar reasons on Jan. 24, 2022.

ASPR's notice says 'bebtelovimab is an alternative mAbs therapy that is currently authorized and available for distribution in Region 1 (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont) and Region 2 (New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands).

Based on in vitro assay data currently available, these products are likely to retain activity against the BA.2 variant, says ASPR.

Separately, the U.S. NIH OpenData Portal reported on Mar. 24, 2022, in vitro therapeutic activity against Omicron variants.

In addition, the U.S. CDC NowCast monitors active variants.

Since Sept. 24, 2021, the U.S. government has distributed about 4,292 million mAbs.

As of March 26, 2022, sotrovimab, known as Xevudy, remains available in the U.K. and Europe, where BA.2 has been very active.

Additional mAbs news is posted at PrecisionVaccinations.com/antibodies.

Note: This news post edited HHS information for clarity and was manually curated for mobile readers.