COVID-19: What is 'ANTIBODY COCKTAIL' launched in India by Roche and Cipla that was used for US President Donald Trump to treat COVID-19?

COVID-19 Latest News Update: At present, the entire country is focused on fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. The second wave of the pandemic had more adverse and far-reaching impacts than the first wave. In every battle, the proper weapons are of utmost importance and this battle against COVID-19 is no exception. One of the weapons against the infection is vaccination and the COVID-19 vaccination drive has started and is going on in the country. Also, recently, the launch of 'antibody cocktail' for treatment of COVID-19 in India has been announced. 

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On Monday, drug major Roche India announced the launch of its first batch of antibody cocktail against COVID-19 in India as per an ANI report. Priced at Rs 59,750 per dose, the medicine consists of an amalgamation of Casirivimab and Imdevimab drugs. Cipla will market the drug in India and the second batch will be available by mid-June. 

The antibody cocktail is to be administered for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age or older and with a minimum weight of 40 kg) who are confirmed to be infected with SARS-COV2 and are at high risk of developing severe COVID-19 and do not require oxygen. 

Notably, Roche's antibody cocktail was given to then President of USA Donald Trump when he was contracted COVID-19 last year. 

As per a joint statement issued by Cipla and Roche, "The first batch of the antibody cocktail (Casirivimab and Imdevimab) is now available in India while a second batch will be made available by mid-June. In total, they can potentially benefit two lakh patients as each of the one lakh packs that will be available in India offers treatment for two patients." 

In COVID-19 related news, India's daily number of COVID-19 cases remained below the two-lakh mark for the first time in 40 days with 1,96,427 fresh infections recorded in the last 24 hours as per the data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).