Regeneron’s Unapproved Antibody Drug Praised as Trump Recovers

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Trump received an experimental antiviral cocktail made by Regeneron through a “compassionate use” exemption, a recognition of the above-and-beyond standard of care he receives as president.

The safety and effectiveness of the drug have not yet been proven. And there is no way for the president or his doctors to know that Regeneron's antibody drug had any effect. Most people recover from Covid-19.

It's not the first time the president has trumpeted an unproven Covid-19 treatment.

He spent months painting the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine as a miracle treatment for the novel virus — taking a preventative course himself — even though experts have said it is not effective against Covid-19.

Trump hailed the Regeneron cocktail even as drugmaker Eli Lilly moves forward with its own similar treatment.

Eli Lilly formally asked the Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday to allow emergency use of its experimental antibody based on early results suggesting it reduces symptoms.

There is no timetable for the FDA to make a decision, though the agency has moved on such applications within weeks.

Lilly says it could supply as many as 1 million doses of its therapy in the final quarter of 2020, with 100,000 available in October.

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