North Tees and Hartlepool hospital trust first in UK to test new Covid recovery treatment

A research team at the University Hospital of North Tees is the first to use REGN-COV2, a new treatment made from a combination of antibodies specially targeting coronavirus.

It is part of a national RECOVERY clinical trial which aims to identify beneficial treatments for people hospitalised with suspected or confirmed Covid-19.

It is another first for the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust in the fight against Covid after it was announced that the University Hospital of Hartlepool will host a major vaccine trial in a world first.

Ben Prudon, respiratory consultant and ’s study lead, said: “Up until now, all treatments being tested have been ones already used to help treat other conditions.

“Now, we have become the first organisation in the UK to use this new treatment on patients – it’s a magnificent achievement for the team.

“We are hugely excited about the potential of this treatment to help patients needing hospital treatment for COVID.

"At this point, we believe it is a safe medication, but we don’t know if it genuinely useful – which is why it is only being used as part of Oxford University’s RECOVERY Trial, and why patient involvement in RECOVERY is so important.”

The RECOVERY study has been underway for several months and has already involved a range of tests into existing treatments used for other conditions including Dexamethasone, a commonly used antibiotic called Azithromycin, an anti-inflammatory Tocilizumab.

REGN-COV2 is a combination of antibodies that are made by identical immune cells directed against coronavirus.

Jill Deane, clinical research project manager and research nurse, helped recruit the first patient for the new study.

She said: “This has been a real team effort – we couldn’t have achieved this without the help and support of so many.

“Research nurses, clinicians and staff on the wards, among many others.

"All the patients involved so far have been very positive about the study and keen to play their part. Their involvement could potentially help so many other people suffering with Covid-19 in the future.”

Dr Prudon added: “This latest achievement is just a further reason for us all to be optimistic and hopeful when it comes to improving treatment for Covid-19.”

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