Japan approves COVID antibody cocktail used to treat Trump

Roche unit's offering holds promise as a tool against worsening cases

Then-U.S. President Donald Trump pulls off his face mask at the White House after returning from his hospitalization for COVID-19. © Reuters

Nikkei staff writers

July 20, 2021 05:18 JST

TOKYO -- An antibody cocktail developed by U.S.-based Regeneron Pharmaceuticals was granted special emergency approval by Japan's health ministry on Monday, opening up new opportunities to keep milder coronavirus cases from progressing and overwhelming health care providers on the ground.

Developed with Roche, the treatment was administered to then-U.S. President Donald Trump when he contracted COVID-19 last year. It received an emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that November.