LIMERICK IS in the global spotlight after it emerged that Donald Trump is being treated for coronavirus with an experimental drug manufactured by a biopharma company based in the city.
The US President is being treated with the pioneering Covid-19 antibody drug combination REGN-COV2 after testing positive for the deadly virus on Friday.
The antibody drug has been manufactured by Regeneron, a biopharma company with offices in Limerick.
According to a statement from the White House, President Trump was given “a single 8-gram dose of Regeneron’s polyclonal antibody cocktail” intravenously before being flown to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre in Maryland.
The treatment is undergoing clinical trials and is in late-stage testing but has yet to receive regulatory approval.
However, while its safety and effectiveness are not yet known, REGN-COV2 is regarded as one of the most promising potential treatments for Covid-19.
Regeneron agreed to supply a single dose to the Trump at the request of his doctor, citing “compassionate provisions”.
If the treatment proves effective, then Limerick end up having a crucial role to play in remedying the global coronavirus pandemic.
Regeneron has already announced plans to create a further 400 jobs in Limerick as part of a concerted effort to maximise its manufacturing capacity.
The Limerick labs will provide much-needed support to Regeneron’s New York facility as it continues work on its Covid-19 antibody drug combination REGN-COV2.
