REGN-EB3

REGN-EB3 is an antibody cocktail developed by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of the Ebola virus disease. It is a mixture of three monoclonal antibodies that bind to the glycoprotein on the surface of the Ebola virus, preventing it from entering human cells.

History

REGN-EB3 was developed in response to the 2014–2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, which was the largest in history. The development of REGN-EB3 was part of a broader effort to find effective treatments for Ebola, which also included the development of other drugs such as ZMapp and remdesivir.

In 2019, a clinical trial known as the PALM trial was conducted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to compare the effectiveness of four potential Ebola treatments. REGN-EB3 was found to be the most effective, significantly reducing the mortality rate compared to the other treatments.

Mechanism of action

REGN-EB3 works by binding to the glycoprotein on the surface of the Ebola virus. This prevents the virus from entering human cells and replicating. The three monoclonal antibodies in the cocktail each bind to a different part of the glycoprotein, increasing the chances of neutralizing the virus.

Approval and use

Following the successful results of the PALM trial, REGN-EB3 was approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2020. It is now one of the primary treatments used for Ebola virus disease.

See also

• Monoclonal antibodies
• Ebola virus disease
• Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
• PALM trial