A new study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine has found that monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy significantly reduces the risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19, including the Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variants.

mAb therapy involves the use of laboratory-made antibodies that mimic the natural immune response to infection. These antibodies target specific proteins on the surface of the virus and can neutralize it before it can cause further harm to the body.

The study analyzed data from over 11,000 patients who received mAb therapy for COVID-19 across the United States. The patients were divided into three groups based on the variant they were infected with: Alpha (B.1.1.7), Delta (B.1.617.2), and Omicron (B.1.1.529).

The researchers found that mAb therapy reduced the risk of hospitalization and death by 85% for patients infected with the Alpha variant, 75% for patients infected with the Delta variant, and 71% for patients infected with the Omicron variant. These results suggest that mAb therapy is effective against all three variants and can reduce the severity of illness and risk of death.

The study also found that the effectiveness of mAb therapy varied depending on the timing of treatment. Patients who received mAb therapy within three days of symptom onset had the highest reduction in hospitalization and death, with an 88% reduction for the Alpha variant, 80% for the Delta variant, and 78% for the Omicron variant. Patients who received mAb therapy later in the course of illness had a lower reduction in hospitalization and death, highlighting the importance of early treatment.

The lead author of the study, Dr. Michael Saag, a professor of medicine and infectious diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, said: "This study provides real-world evidence that mAb therapy is effective against multiple COVID-19 variants and can significantly reduce the risk of hospitalization and death. It also highlights the importance of early treatment, as patients who received mAb therapy within three days of symptom onset had the highest reduction in hospitalization and death."

mAb therapy is currently available in many countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, and is recommended for people who are at high risk of developing severe COVID-19, such as those with weakened immune systems or underlying medical conditions. The therapy is administered through an intravenous infusion and usually takes about an hour to complete.

In conclusion, this study provides important new evidence on the effectiveness of mAb therapy against multiple COVID-19 variants. It highlights the importance of early treatment and the potential for mAb therapy to reduce the severity of illness and risk of death. These findings have important implications for the treatment of COVID-19 and could help to save lives in the ongoing pandemic.