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Regeneron Pharmaceuticals enlists Spectrum Health in clinical trial of COVID-19 treatment

Novel coronavirus graphic
PBS

The COVID-19 trial treatment that President Donald Trump received as a “compassionate use” request from his doctors continues to be evaluated. The clinical trial of REGN-COV2, an antibody cocktail Regeneron Pharmaceuticals is evaluating as a treatment and prevention of COVID-19, is now available at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital. The hospital is one of two Michigan health systems enrolling admitted patients.

For participants, this is a randomized, double-blind trial. That means the patient and the doctor don’t know who’s receiving treatment or a placebo.

“If patient receive medication or placebo I can be biased. Then I’m affecting if patient is getting better. This way there is no bias because I don’t know what patient has received.”

Research Physician Gordana Simeunovic says earlier trials of REGN-COV2 have shown reduced viral levels and improved symptoms.

“These patients recovered quicker and they had much less COVID -related subsequent medical visits after they received medication compared with those who did not.”

To learn more, contact covid19research@spectrumhealth.org

I’m Patrick Center

Patrick joined WGVU Public Media in December, 2008 after eight years of investigative reporting at Grand Rapids' WOOD-TV8 and three years at WYTV News Channel 33 in Youngstown, Ohio. As News and Public Affairs Director, Patrick manages our daily radio news operation and public interest television programming. An award-winning reporter, Patrick has won multiple Michigan Associated Press Best Reporter/Anchor awards and is a three-time Academy of Television Arts & Sciences EMMY Award winner with 14 nominations.