Distribution of Bamlanivimab/etesevimab
May 21, 2021
Monoclonal Antibody Therapeutic Updates
The COVID-19 pandemic is rapidly evolving, and new updates are issued frequently. To view a full list of HHS/ASPR’s updates related to COVID-19 monoclonal antibody therapeutics, please see our
full list of updates.
The Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are committed to ensuring timely and transparent communication regarding the monoclonal antibody therapies currently authorized for emergency use in certain patients for the treatment of COVID-19.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified that the P.1 variant (originally identified in Brazil) is circulating with a frequency exceeding 10% in Massachusetts (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/variant-proportions.html). Results from in vitro assays that are used to assess the susceptibility of viral variants to particular monoclonal antibodies suggest that bamlanivimab and etesevimab administered together are not active against the P.1 variant. These assays use “pseudo-virus particles” that help determine likely susceptibility of the live virus.
REGEN-COV is an alternative monoclonal antibody therapy that is currently authorized for the same use as
bamlanivimab and etesevimab administered together and, based on similar in vitro assay data currently available, REGEN-COV is likely to retain activity against the P.1 variant. All treatment delivery sites can continue ordering REGEN-COV from the authorized distributer by following the existing ordering and reporting procedures. The FDA recommends that health care providers in Massachusetts use this alternative authorized monoclonal antibody therapy until further notice. ASPR will pause distribution of
bamlanivimab and etesevimab together and etesevimab alone (to pair with existing supply of bamlanivimab at a facility for use under
EUA 094) to Massachusetts. As per our
prior communication (May 7, 2021), the P.1 variant has been persistently elevated at a frequency exceeding 20% in Illinois, and the shipping restriction to Illinois remains in effect.
Other states, including those neighboring Massachusetts, are not impacted by today’s announcement. All health care providers should monitor information from the CDC and state and local health authorities regarding the frequency of the P.1 variant in their region.
Health care providers should review the Antiviral Resistance information in Section 15 of the authorized Fact Sheets for each monoclonal antibody therapy available under an
EUA for details regarding specific variants and resistance. Health care providers should also refer to the CDC website (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/variant-proportions.html) and information from state and local health authorities regarding reports of viral variants of importance in their region to guide treatment decisions.
Monoclonal antibody therapies available under an EUA must be used in accordance with the terms and conditions for the respective authorization, including the authorized labeling. The Letters of Authorization may be accessed at:
https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/mcm-legal-regulatory-and-policy-framework/emergency-use-authorization#coviddrugs.
ASPR and FDA will continue to work with the CDC and the National Institutes of Health on surveillance of variants that may impact the use of the monoclonal antibody therapies authorized for emergency use. We will provide further updates and consider additional action as new information becomes available.
Please contact
COVID19Therapeutics@hhs.gov with any questions.
