StarMed to Open New Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Clinic in Charlotte as Therapy Use Increases 18-fold in NC

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (WBTV) – StarMed Healthcare is opening a new clinic where it will be the first out-of-health clinic to provide free monoclonal antibody therapy, COVID-19 treatment, in the Charlotte area.

The new clinic will be located at 491 North Wendover Road. The new space will have 14 private rooms to accommodate patients with monoclonal antibodies.

StarMed will continue to work with other counties in the state to set up similar clinics.

StarMed says its goal is to ease the burden on the hospital system by providing patients with REGEN-VOC monoclonal antibody therapy, which research validation has shown:

• Reduces COVID-19 death rate by 20-70%.
• Decreases symptoms in COVID-positive patients by two weeks.
• Lowers viral loads to make patients less contagious.

For patients who are exposed to COVID-19, monoclonal antibody therapy can be used as a prophylaxis after exposure to reduce the onset of COVID-19 symptoms by 93%.

REGEN-COV has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under Emergency Use Clearance (EUA).

Due to a limited supply, appointments are accepted through the starmed.care website.

Monoclonal antibodies are made in the laboratory. They can be given to patients by IV infusion. It takes approximately 21 minutes to receive the treatment. A patient should wait an hour after treatment to be monitored for any side effects.

REGEN-COV is produced by taking the natural immunity of a covid-positive donor and replicating the antibody protein specific to fighting COVID-19.

Replicated antibodies are given as a 21-minute IV infusion or subcutaneous injection, with a 60-minute observation for any side effects. The antibodies stay in the patient’s system for 30 to 90 days.

Minor side effects include nausea and dizziness, while serious side effects are rare. A complete list of safety and effectiveness is available on the StarMed website.

Monoclonal antibody therapy is completely free for patients and is not a substitute for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Patients SHOULD receive doses of REGEN-COV monoclonal antibody therapy:

• People 12 years of age and older who are not vaccinated may receive treatment with monoclonal antibodies.
• Anyone who has been vaccinated but has an immunocompromised condition due to underlying health conditions such as cancer, organ transplants, autoimmune disorders, or chronic steroid use.
• People who are COVID-19 positive with mild or moderate symptoms.

Patients who SHOULD NOT receive doses of REGEN-COV monoclonal antibody therapy:

• Patients with severe symptoms and anyone requiring an increase in oxygen due to a positive COVID-19 result.
• Anyone exposed to COVID-19 but who has been vaccinated and can organize a good response.

Last week, North Carolina health officials said the use of monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of COVID-19 has been multiplied by 18 since the end of June, going from 100 administrations for the week of June 23 to 1,874 for the week of August 11.

Statewide, there are more than 130 sites offering monoclonal antibodies to treat COVID-19, as this treatment can reduce the likelihood of hospitalization from COVID-19.

Talk to your health care provider to see if monoclonal antibody therapy is an option, find a care center near you or call the Federal Monoclonal Antibody Call Center for assistance at 1-877-332-6585 (English) or 1-877-366-0310 (Spanish).

Some people may be eligible for preventive treatment before showing symptoms.

More information, including answers to frequently asked questions, is available on NCDHHS ‘COVID-19 website.

The federal government provides monoclonal antibody therapy free of charge to patients. However, healthcare providers may charge an administration fee for the treatment. Medicare and many commercial insurance companies cover all costs for patients. Check with your health plan to learn more about treatment costs.

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