Trump given experimental antibody ‘cocktail’ to treat COVID-19

President Donald Trump’s doctor says Trump is being treated with an experimental drug aimed at supplying antibodies to help fight his coronavirus infection.

Antibodies are proteins the body makes when an infection occurs. They attach to a virus and help it be eliminated. But it can take weeks for them to form. The drugs are purified versions of ones that seemed to work best in lab and animal tests.

Trump is receiving a two-antibody combo drug that’s currently in late-stage studies from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. The company previously developed a successful treatment for Ebola using a similar approach.

It’s given as a one-time treatment through an IV.

Trump’s physician, Dr. Sean Conley, said the drug was being given “as a precautionary measure,” and that Trump also was taking zinc, vitamin D, an antacid called famotidine, melatonin and aspirin. None of those have been proven to be effective against COVID-19.

Trump apparently is not receiving hydroxychloroquine, a drug he widely promoted that has been shown in many studies to be ineffective for preventing or treating COVID-19.

The president tested positive for the coronavirus hours after it was revealed that top White House aide Hope Hicks had contracted COVID-19. It is not clear when the president was exposed. 

Meanwhile, chief of staff Mark Meadows says more White House staffers are expected to test positive for the coronavirus. “I fully expect as this virus continues to go on, other people in the White House certainly will have a positive test result,” he said.

Vice President Mike Pence and second lady Karen Pence tested negative for COVID-19 Friday morning.

First lady Melania Trump says she is experiencing “mild symptoms” after she and President Donald Trump tested positive for COVID-19. White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said President Trump was also experiencing mild symptoms, but continues to work from the White House residence as he quarantines. The Trumps’ youngest child, Barron, 14, has tested negative for the virus.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he spoke by phone to Trump.

The Republican leader said in a tweet the two “talked business” on Friday and Trump was in “good spirits.”

Photos: A look at Trump’s busy week leading up to positive coronavirus test