Keeping tabs on Covid-19: ‘Flurona’ on the rise, Lilly’s new antibody treatment

'Flurona' cases on the rise

Cases of simultaneous infection of Covid-19 and the influenza virus are rising, with reports of people testing positive for both viruses in the US, UK, Israel, Brazil, the Philippines and Hungary. 

A recent study found that coinfection does not necessarily lead to more severe disease. Scientists, however, are calling for screening and vaccination for both viruses to reduce the likelihood of hospitalization and mortality. 

While coinfections are not new, public health experts believe the lockdowns of 2021 may be leading to people being more prone to infection. Speaking to CNN, Nadav Davidovitch, director of the School of Public Health at Ben-Gurion University in Israel, said: "It's interesting that after you have a year with a very, very low or no influenza activity, the next year because people were less exposed, it makes them more vulnerable."

Meanwhile Moderna has been working on a vaccine to tackle simultaneous infections of Covid-19 and influenza since September 2021. 

Eli Lilly & Co’s new treatment effective against all Covid-19 variants

Eli Lilly & Co is developing an experimental monoclonal antibody treatment called bebtelovimab to treat mild to moderate Covid-19. 

To date it has effectively neutralized variants including Alpha, Beta, Delta, Epsilon and Omicron during test tube experiments. Researchers have said that it is more potent than other antibody treatments, which could potentially enable patients to use it at lower doses. 

The company has been working with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to make the drug available in the US under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). 

India to become largest hub for antiviral Covid-19 drugs

India is set to become the world’s largest hub for the manufacture of generic antiviral Covid-19 drugs. 

The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has granted emergency approval to a number of pharmaceutical companies to produce generic versions of Molnupiravir, the first ever oral antiviral drug for Covid-19 originally developed by Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics. 

A total of 13 companies will produce generic versions of Molnupiravir, including Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Cipla, Viatris and Mankind Pharma.

Also in the news

• Stephane Bancel, CEO of Moderna has said another booster vaccination may be needed in fall 2022.
• India’s Bharat Biotech has announced its Covaxin booster shot may give long-term immunity against Covid-19.
• Novavax and Serum Institute of India have applied for EUA for the Covovax vaccine in South Africa. Novavax is also in the process of applying for EUA in the US.