WHO recommends use of two antibody drugs against Ebola

The World Health Organization (WHO) last week recommended two monoclonal antibody treatments against Ebola, saying the use of such drugs combined with better care had “revolutionised” the treatment of a disease once seen as a near-certain killer.

The drugs – Regeneron’s Inmazeb (REGN-EB3) and Ridgeback Bio’s Ebanga (mAb114) – use laboratory-made monoclonal antibodies that mimic natural antibodies in fighting off infections.

“Advances in supportive care and therapeutics over the past decade have revolutionised the treatment of Ebola. Ebola virus disease used to be perceived as a near certain killer. However, that is no longer the case,” said Robert Fowler, Professor, University of Toronto, Canada, and co-chair, Guideline Development Group WHO. Effective care and the use of these treatments now lead to the recovery of the “vast majority” of people from Ebola, he said, without giving specific data.

The new recommendations follow trials of the drugs against the haemorrhagic fever in Democratic Republic of Congo during a 2018-2020 outbreak there. Dr Janet Diaz, lead Clinical Management Unit, Health Emergencies Programme, WHO, told journalists the drugs were currently available in Congo but more work was needed to improve affordability.

“Pathways to access is a priority to work on right now,” she said.

Edits by EP News Bureau