Just before the 2020 U.S. presidential election, President Donald Trump tested positive for COVID-19. He received an experimental antibody therapy still in clinical trials—a significant boost for the biotech firm behind it.
President Trump battled COVID-19 for about a week. As reported by Bloomberg and The New York Times, his medical team administered several treatments. These included a massive 8g dose of REGN-COV2, an antibody cocktail from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. He also received remdesivir, an antiviral initially promising but later questioned for efficacy, and dexamethasone, a corticosteroid proven effective in severe cases.
REGN-COV2 generated the most attention. This exposure provided invaluable publicity for Regeneron, though the therapy remains in clinical trials. Regeneron stated that President Trump specifically requested it.
Amid ongoing U.S. COVID-19 fatalities, President Trump's treatment highlighted Regeneron's therapy during intense pharmaceutical competition against SARS-CoV-2. Rivals like Eli Lilly & Co. and AbCellera Biologics are developing similar antibodies. This edge thrilled investors: Regeneron's shares, up nearly 60% for 2020, jumped 10% on the news.
Safety concerns arise with experimental treatments. REGN-COV2 had not yet received FDA approval. However, the White House likely reviewed promising interim data from Regeneron's trials, supporting its use.
