WHO Prioritizes Regeneron’s Inmazeb Antibody for Bundibugyo Ebola Clinical Trials
REGN•Regeneron’s maftivimab, the lead neutralizing antibody in Inmazeb, was recommended in May by the WHO Therapeutics Advisory Group for clinical trials against Bundibugyo ebolavirus. Regeneron is coordinating with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support locally run studies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
1. WHO Recommendation Details
In May, the WHO Therapeutics Advisory Group identified maftivimab—the most potent of the three antibodies in Inmazeb—as a priority candidate for clinical evaluation against Bundibugyo ebolavirus. This recommendation leverages in vitro data showing maftivimab’s broad neutralization across multiple Ebola species and underscores Inmazeb’s potential extension beyond its current FDA approval for Zaire ebolavirus.
2. Coordination with Health Agencies
Regeneron has engaged with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is collaborating with WHO and national health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda to design and implement locally run clinical trials. These studies will assess safety and efficacy in outbreak zones, aiming to facilitate rapid deployment if trial outcomes are positive.
3. Commercial and Pipeline Implications
Positive trial results could expand Inmazeb’s market to include Bundibugyo ebolavirus, unlocking new revenue streams and reinforcing Regeneron’s leadership in filovirus therapeutics. This program also bolsters the company’s R&D pipeline, with maftivimab’s performance potentially informing future antibody-based products for emerging infectious diseases.
