Pemgarda Maintains Effectiveness Against Evolving SARS-CoV-2 Variants
Robert Allen, PhD, discusses how Pemgarda’s stability in targeting the spike protein's receptor-binding domain offers crucial protection, including immunocompromised individuals.
Invivyd announced that new in vitro data confirms Pemgarda (pemivibart) continues to effectively neutralize the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant XEC. This underscores the monoclonal antibody's ongoing effectiveness despite the virus’s evolving variants.
The CDC reports that XEC and KP311 now account for 69% of circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants in the US as of December 21, 2024. Invivyd’s findings highlight the potential of Pemgarda as a crucial preventive treatment, especially for immunocompromised individuals who remain vulnerable to severe illness from COVID-19.
In our interview with Robert Allen, PhD, Invivyd's chief scientific officer, he discussed how Pemgarda continues to target the stable receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, despite the virus's ongoing mutation, "The antibody binds to a specific region of the target, the spike protein’s receptor-binding domain (RBD). This region has remained largely unchanged, even after the emergence of Omicron about three years ago. Because this region hasn’t changed significantly, we are able to continue binding and neutralizing the virus, even with the rise of new variants like XEC."
This stability makes Pemgarda effective in neutralizing the current XEC variant and particularly valuable for immunocompromised individuals, who may not generate a strong immune response to vaccines, "Pemgarda remains effective for immunocompromised individuals because the antibody can access the virus and neutralize it, reducing the clinical impact on these individuals,” Allen said
Immunocompromised individuals can struggle to respond to traditional COVID-19 vaccines. As a result, they remain at a higher risk for severe illness. Pemgarda provides a crucial alternative by offering direct protection through an external antibody response. Allen said, "Immunocompromised patients typically cannot generate a strong immune response like immunocompetent individuals. For example, if their B cells, which are responsible for producing antibodies, aren’t functioning properly, they can’t produce a robust response to a vaccine."
In these cases, Pemgarda steps in to provide that protection, "Pemgarda is an antibody that protects against the pathogen, in this case, SARS-CoV-2. In the absence of a fully functional immune response, Pemgarda can step in and neutralize the virus."
This approach augments the compromised immune system, offering essential protection to those who cannot generate it on their own, "Even without a fully functioning immune system, Pemgarda supplies an antibody that neutralizes the pathogen, providing critical protection for immunocompromised individuals."
As new SARS-CoV-2 variants continue to emerge, Pemgarda remains a crucial tool for protecting vulnerable populations, particularly those who are immunocompromised. With consistent neutralizing activity against variants like XEC, Pemgarda offers an important option for individuals who may not respond to vaccines, ensuring they are better protected against severe COVID-19 outcomes.
STay tuned for part 2, we discuss the ongoing efforts to monitor the virus’s impact and Invivyd's next antibody.
