The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (US-FDA) has approved the first Ebola Virus treatment drug named Inmazeb on October 14, 2020. It is a mixture of three monoclonal antibodies namely- atoltivimab, maftivimab, and odesivimab-ebgn. This is the first FDA-approved treatment for Zaire ebolavirus (Ebola virus) infection in adult and pediatric patients.
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About Inmazeb
- Inmazeb targets the glycoprotein on the surface of Ebola virus.
- Glycoprotein is attached to the cell receptor. It fuses the viral and host cell membranes and thus allow the virus to enter the cell.
- The three antibodies that was used in Inmazeb can bind the glycoprotein and block attachment and entry of the virus.
- Inmazeb was tested in 382 adult and pediatric patients with confirmed Zaire ebolavirus infection.
- Testing was done in one clinical trial or the PALM trial. It was a part of an expanded access program conducted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in 2018-2019 during an Ebola virus outbreak.
- Inmazeb have received an Orphan Drug designation. This designation provides incentives to assist and encourage drug development for rare diseases.
Zaire ebolavirus
The virus is commonly known as Ebola virus. It is among one of four Ebolavirus species that cause a fatal human disease. This virus is transmitted through direct contact with blood, body fluids and tissues of infected people or wild animals. It can also spread through the� surfaces and materials including the bedding and clothing that have been contaminated with these fluids.
Symptoms during the treatment
Some of the symptoms visualised during the treatment with Inmazeb included- fever, tachycardia (fast heart rate), chills, tachypnea (fast breathing) and vomiting. These symptoms are also the common symptoms of Ebola virus infection.� Hypersensitivity can also occur in patients taking Inmazeb.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (US-FDA)
The FDA is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It seeks to protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human.� It also provides security to veterinary drugs, vaccines, other biological products for human use and medical devices. It is responsible for the safety and security of nation’s food supply, cosmetics and dietary supplements. The FDA had approved the Ervebo in 2019 which is the first vaccine for the prevention of Ebola virus disease.