EMA’s Emergency Task Force (ETF) has cautioned that monoclonal antibodies currently authorised for COVID-19 are unlikely to be effective against emerging strains of SARS-CoV-2.
These monoclonal antibodies are designed to neutralise the virus by binding to the spike protein on its surface. However, emerging strains have mutations in this protein which can reduce the ability of the antibodies to bind to them.
Recent laboratory studies show that monoclonal antibodies targeting the spike protein are poorly effective at neutralising Omicron strains BA.4.6, BA.2.75.2 and XBB. The data also show that these monoclonal antibodies do not significantly neutralise BQ.1 and BQ.1.1, which are expected to become the dominant strains in the EU in the coming weeks…
