The UK drug regulator has approved an antibody cocktail developed by Regeneron and Roche to prevent and treat Covid-19.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said clinical trial data shows the drug Ronapreve could help prevent infection, resolve symptoms of severe Covid-19 and reduce the chances of admission to hospital.
“This treatment will be a significant addition to our armoury to tackle Covid-19,” British Health Minister Sajid Javid said in a statement.
It comes as the nation battles rising hospital admissions due to the more infectious Delta variant.
Hospital admissions for Covid-19 exceeded 6,100 this week, a five-month high. Two thirds of admitted patients had not been vaccinated, data released this month showed.
Ronapreve, known as REGEN-COV in the US, can be taken via injection or infusion. It binds tightly to the coronavirus at the lining of the respiratory system and prevents it from gaining access to cells of the respiratory system, the MHRA said.
It belongs to a class of drugs called monoclonal antibodies which mimic natural antibodies produced by the body to fight off infections. The drug is not intended to be used as a substitute for vaccination, the MHRA added.
Mr Javid said the government would start to roll out the therapy across the NHS as soon as possible.
This is the third therapy in the UK's arsenal, added to generic steroid dexamethasone and arthritis drug tocilizumab, sold by Roche as Actemra and RoActemra.
Earlier this week, Roche warned of a global shortage of its arthritis drug which will last a few more weeks.
Ronapreve/REGEN-COV received emergency approval to treat Covid-19 in more than 20 countries, including the US, which has also authorised a similar treatment by Eli Lilly for patients who have not been admitted to hospital. It has been a big earner for Regeneron, which logged US sales of $2.59 billion in the second quarter.
In June, the EU bought about 55,000 doses of the treatment while the region's drug watchdog reviews it for approval.
Company%20Profile
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Company Profile
Company name: NutriCal
Started: 2019
Founder: Soniya Ashar
Based: Dubai
Industry: Food Technology
Initial investment: Self-funded undisclosed amount
Future plan: Looking to raise fresh capital and expand in Saudi Arabia
Total Clients: Over 50
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Real Madrid 1
Ronaldo (87')
Athletic Bilbao 1
Williams (14')
Honeymoonish
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Four-day collections of TOH
Day Indian Rs (Dh)
Thursday 500.75 million (25.23m)
Friday 280.25m (14.12m)
Saturday 220.75m (11.21m)
Sunday 170.25m (8.58m)
Total 1.19bn (59.15m)
(Figures in millions, approximate)
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
From exhibitions to the battlefield
In 2016, the Shaded Dome was awarded with the 'De Vernufteling' people's choice award, an annual prize by the Dutch Association of Consulting Engineers and the Royal Netherlands Society of Engineers for the most innovative project by a Dutch engineering firm.
It was assigned by the Dutch Ministry of Defence to modify the Shaded Dome to make it suitable for ballistic protection. Royal HaskoningDHV, one of the companies which designed the dome, is an independent international engineering and project management consultancy, leading the way in sustainable development and innovation.
It is driving positive change through innovation and technology, helping use resources more efficiently.
It aims to minimise the impact on the environment by leading by example in its projects in sustainable development and innovation, to become part of the solution to a more sustainable society now and into the future.
