Listing of the neutralizing antibodies amubarvimab and romlusevimab in China: Hopes and impediments

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to ravage the world, and the virus' constant evolution has made it increasingly difficult to contain. The combination of the neutralizing antibodies amubarvimab and romlusevimab has recently been introduced as a treatment for COVID-19 in China. Based on its potential to effectively combat severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its Omicron variant at a modest cost and under medical insurance, this controversial biotherapy is anticipated to be widely available in China. Hopefully, whether and how the proposed medication will alter the treatment of COVID-19 in China will be apparent soon, as well as if it will help to reduce hospitalizations, reduce the incidence of severe illness, or even act as pre-exposure prophylaxis.