Conemaugh Health System Offering Monoclonal Antibody Treatment for COVID-19 Patients

September 15, 2021

Conemaugh Health System continues to offer casirivimab and imdevimab monoclonal antibody therapy for treatment of non-hospitalized patients with a mild or moderate case of COVID-19. Developed by pharmaceutical company Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the drug received emergency use authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made proteins that mimic the immune system's ability to fight off harmful viruses. They are specifically designed to help block the SARS-CoV-2 virus and prevent the virus from further infecting healthy cells. Administered intravenously, this innovative treatment is designed to help lessen the severity of COVID-19 in individuals who are COVID-19-positive and are at risk for developing a severe form of the disease.

'We are proud to offer this treatment locally for qualifying patients, and our team has seen promising results in preventing severe infection and hospitalization,' said Elizabeth Dunmore, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Conemaugh Health System. 'Offering this treatment locally is an important step forward in helping prevent at-risk patients from being hospitalized due to COVID-19. We continue to strongly encourage our community members to get vaccinated, wear masks, and observe social distancing as the virus circulates throughout our region.'

Patients must meet specific clinical criteria, including having a lab-confirmed case of COVID-19 that is mild or moderate; having underlying health conditions or being older than 65 years of age; and being stable enough not to require hospitalization. Certain patients may also qualify for casirivimab and imdevimab after exposure to a COVID-19 patient based on their risk profile. The therapy is available to adults and adolescents 12 years of age or older who are at high risk for developing severe COVID-19 symptoms.

Monoclonal antibody therapy must be ordered from a healthcare provider. Treatment is administered either by intravenous route (using IV therapy) or by subcutaneous injections. Patients receiving treatment at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center will be required to stay for a duration of up to two hours.

For more information about monoclonal antibody treatment available at Conemaugh Health System, visit Conemaugh.org/Coronavirus.

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