Effect of Bamlanivimab vs Placebo on Incidence of COVID-19 Among Residents and Staff of Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living Facilities: A Randomized Clinical Trial
This Phase III study (n=966) found a single IV infusion of bamlanivimab (monoclonal antibody against SARS-CoV-2) reduced the incidence of COVID-19 compared with placebo (8.5% vs 15.2%; absolute risk difference,−6.6; 95% CI −10.7 to −2.6] percentage points (P<0.001) within 8 weeks
Source:
Journal of the American Medical Association
SPS commentary:
According to an accompanying editorial, the findings suggest that monoclonal antibodies directed against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein could have clinically important benefits when used as post-exposure prophylaxis in these settings. However since completion of the study, novel variants carrying spike protein mutations that reduce susceptibility to bamlanivimab have emerged, and the US FDA withdrew the emergency use authorisation (EUA) for its use as a single treatment. Although the EUA for bamlanivimab plus etesevimab remains in place, the future clinical utility of this combination in the context of spreading SARS-CoV-2 resistance to bamlanivimab is uncertain.