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Regen-COV might work before COVID exposure, trial shows: What to know about monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies can greatly reduce hospitalization rates in people most at risk of severe COVID-19.
For the most up-to-date news and information about the coronavirus pandemic, visit the WHO and CDC websites.

Monoclonal antibody therapy for COVID-19 is available to people in the US for free who are at higher risk of severe disease in the first few days of their illness, or after they’ve been exposed to the coronavirus. The treatment — lab-made antibodies given to a person that help their immune system stop the infection from spreading — has proven to be a key tool for preventing the coronavirus from turning into severe illness. Preliminary research shows the treatment reduces risk for hospitalization or death by about 70%.

Now, early research is showing the treatment may benefit people much earlier on, before they’ve even been exposed to the coronavirus. Regeneron, one of the drug-makers of the antibody treatments, announced Monday that its drug was 81.6% effective in preventing COVID-19 in a trial period of two to eight months post-treatment. The drug in the study, which is called Regen-COV and was given to participants in a series of four injections, is the same drug as the one currently authorized for use on at-risk people who are in the early stages of COVID-19, and on some people who’ve been exposed to it.

Dr. Myron Cohen, who leads the monoclonal antibody efforts for the National Institutes of Health’s COVID Prevention Network, said in a news release Monday that the results from the drug-maker are «particularly important to those who do not respond to COVID-19 vaccines, including people who are immunocompromised.»

Regen-COV isn’t authorized yet for use in anyone who hasn’t been exposed to or is sick with COVID-19. A few monoclonal antibody therapies, including the one made by Regeneron, have emergency use authorization by the US Food and Drug Administration and should be accessible in doctors’ offices or even some state-run clinics, as seen in states such as Florida and Texas.

Importantly, monoclonal antibodies don’t replace the role of the COVID-19 vaccines in preventing hospitalization and death. According to data from August by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unvaccinated people were more than 11 times more likely to die from COVID-19 and about 6 times more likely to contract COVID-19 than fully vaccinated people.

A large number of Americans could be eligible for monoclonal antibody treatment if they test positive for COVID-19 (a smaller number would be eligible for the treatment without a positive test, and only a confirmed exposure). For example, everyone age 65 or older, people who are overweight, people with heart, liver, or kidney disease and many more would be eligible for the treatment in the early days of their symptoms.

Here’s what we know now about COVID-19 monoclonal antibodies.

What are monoclonal antibodies, and how do they work?

Monoclonal antibodies are lab-made antibodies that work by binding to bacteria, cancer cells or viruses the way natural antibodies do, stopping them from infecting more cells. The first monoclonal antibody therapy was approved more than 30 years ago and has been used for other illnesses, including the Ebola virus.

Monoclonal antibody treatments for COVID-19 are used before a person gets really sick, usually within 10 days of their first symptom, to prevent hospitalization. The treatment is only approved for people who are at risk of getting extremely sick — those who are age 65 or older and those who have «certain medical conditions,» per the FDA. The same treatment isn’t recommended for people who are already hospitalized with COVID-19.

Monoclonal antibody therapy is also authorized if an at-risk person is exposed to COVID-19, but the definition of «at-risk» in this instance, per the FDA, is a little narrower and reserved for people who are at risk because of a medical condition and unvaccinated or not fully protected by the COVID-19 vaccines because of an immunocompromising condition.

Read more: Pfizer says its COVID-19 antiviral pill reduces risk of serious illness

I tested positive. How do I know if I’m eligible?

If you come down with the coronavirus and are concerned about how the disease will affect you, contacting your doctor to learn your options and the best line of treatment for you is a good idea. But, in general, this specific treatment is reserved for people who are at risk for severe disease. Most people who are infected with COVID-19 will recover at home without medical help.

The people who test positive for COVID-19 and would be eligible or benefit from monoclonal antibody therapy may also be the same people who are eligible for COVID-19 vaccine boosters because of a medical condition. For those who are at risk of severe COVID-19 and would be eligible for monoclonal antibodies if they test positive (if they’re at least 12 years old and weigh at least 88 pounds) the FDA defines «at risk» under the EUA as:

  • All people age 65 and older.
  • People with obesity or those who are overweight (adults with a BMI of more than 25, and children age 12-17 who have a BMI at the 85th percentile or greater).
  • Pregnant people.
  • People with cancer.
  • People with chronic kidney or lung disease.
  • Individuals with cardiovascular disease or hypertension.
  • People with diabetes.
  • People with sickle cell disease.
  • Those living with neurodevelopmental disorders.
  • People who are immunocompromised or taking immunocompromising medication.
  • Those who have a «medical-related technological dependence» (such as a tracheostomy or gastrostomy).

However, the FDA stressed in a fact sheet for Eli Lilly’s treatment (another brand of monoclonal antibodies) that this isn’t a complete list, and other medical conditions or factors including race or ethnicity may also place individuals at higher risk for severe COVID-19. It also pointed to the CDC’s list of «people with certain medical conditions» for other health conditions, which includes things such as depression and Down syndrome as being high-risk conditions.

In sum: If you test positive and feel you are at risk for severe COVID-19 and might qualify for monoclonal antibodies, you should probably speak to a health care professional about them.

Does vaccine status matter?

No, people who test positive for COVID-19 and are eligible for monoclonal antibody therapy because of their age or health condition can be treated regardless of their vaccination status. That is because, while still protective, the vaccines may be less effective at preventing severe disease in some people than others.

However, being unvaccinated might make you eligible for monoclonal antibodies after an exposure to someone with COVID-19. According to the FDA’s authorization of Regen-COV for post-exposure, people eligible for post-exposure treatment must be at risk of severe COVID-19 disease, and either unvaccinated or vaccinated but immunocompromised or taking immunocompromising medications.

I qualify. How do I access the treatment?

Monoclonal antibodies are administered by IV (most commonly) or by injection, so they’re not a prescription you can easily pick up at the pharmacy. According to CNN, the infusion process takes about an hour and patients need to wait a while to be observed for side effects. If you’re at risk for severe COVID-19 and you’ve tested positive or think you have it, ask your doctor where the treatment is available.

If you live in Texas or Florida where there are state-run monoclonal antibody treatment centers, the same eligibility requirements for patients apply. In Florida, this means everyone age 12 and older who is at «high risk for severe illness» can make an appointment and find a monoclonal treatment center at one of the state’s eight locations. In Texas, there are nine antibody infusion centers across the state, but at-risk people need a referral from their doctor.

If you think you qualify for monoclonal antibody treatment but don’t have a health care provider, you can call the Combat COVID Monoclonal Antibodies Call Center at 1-877-332-6585. You can also use this link from the US Department of Health and Human Services antibody therapy finder.

Do monoclonal antibodies interfere with the coronavirus vaccines?

If you were treated with monoclonal antibodies and you haven’t been vaccinated yet, you should wait 90 days after your treatment to make an appointment, according to the CDC. This recommendation is until more is known about how the antibody response from the treatment affects the immune response from getting vaccinated.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

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The Apple Watch Series 12 Could Bring Back a Throwback iPhone Feature

Everything we’ve heard so far about the rumored Apple Watch Series 12.

We’re hot off a busy March Apple launch with seven new products, including an iPhone 17E, updated MacBook Pros and a colorful MacBook Neo that’s about to rattle the Chromebook market. As we set our sights on the next big hardware launch, the Apple Watch Series 12 is already on the horizon.

While there haven’t been any concrete leaks yet, there’s plenty we can infer based on Apple’s past launches and typical release patterns. There are also a few lingering rumors that could finally land this year, including a possible nod to a long-removed but not forgotten iPhone feature.

Apple Watch Series 12 launch date

If there’s one thing Apple tends to keep consistent, it’s the timing of its fall hardware event, where it typically unveils its newest flagship iPhones and Apple Watch models.

Apple typically holds this event on the second Tuesday of September (usually the week after Labor Day). By that logic, Sept. 15 seems like the most likely candidate for Apple’s 2026 fall event. Because it lands a bit later in the month than in previous years, there’s also a slim chance Apple moves it up to Sept. 9 (Labor Day week), as it has before.

As in previous years, preorders would likely open on the Friday after the event, with availability following a week or so later (assuming no production delays).

Pricing and availability

Expect pricing for the new watches to stay roughly in line with the current Series 11 lineup, which starts at about $400 (42mm Wi-Fi model). Though price hikes aren’t completely off the table, with lingering tariff increases and the potential for supply chain issues.

How many Apple Watch models will we get?  

A Series 12 is all but guaranteed — we’ve had a new Apple Watch model arrive every year since its launch. What’s less certain is whether Apple will refresh the entire lineup again this year. The Apple Watch SE and Ultra models don’t follow the same annual update cycle, and because both the SE 3 and Ultra 3 were refreshed in 2025, it’s less likely that Apple will update both again this year.

If Apple does add another model alongside the Series 12, the Ultra would be the more plausible candidate. Apple isn’t one to hold out on new features for its high-end models when warranted. Or if it follows the pattern set with the Ultra 2, the company might just roll out a new color model for the Ultra 3.

Design upgrades on the Apple Watch Series 12

There are rumblings of a redesign in the works, but given how sparse the chatter has been, my guess is we won’t see a major design overhaul this year. Expect the same silhouette, similar colors and materials. What could change: screen technology. A more energy-efficient display — potentially an improved LTPO panel with better brightness, as seen on the Series 10 — could help claw back some battery life without adding bulk.

Battery life and processor

The Series 11 and Ultra 3 got a significant battery bump over their predecessors: at least 6 hours more by Apple’s numbers and roughly an extra half day (or more) in my real-world testing. And the Ultra 3 also got charging speed worthy of its name, like its newer siblings. But there’s still a lot of room for improvement on both battery life and charging speed. 

With no major clues hinting at bigger batteries yet, I’d bet we see more incremental gains (if any) on the Series 12. Improvements could come from better screen technology, software optimizations, and more efficient processors. 

In theory, the processor name usually matches the watch number, suggesting an S12 chip this year. But since the Series 11 and Ultra 3 are still running on the previous year’s S10 chip, the next upgrade could technically be an S11, making this year’s naming a bit awkward.

New health features on the horizon

Apple has already dipped its toes into blood pressure monitoring with hypertension notifications on the Apple Watch (Series 10, Series 11 and Ultra 3). The feature alerts owners when it detects signs of abnormally high blood pressure, but it stops short of providing an on-the-spot read. This could be on the table for the fall of 2026.

Other wearable health companies like Omron and Med-Watch have proven that wrist-based blood pressure measurement is possible, though it’s not as reliable as a traditional cuff and may require new (bulkier) hardware to bring to the Apple Watch. 

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple has been testing the feature internally but has encountered accuracy issues. And even if Apple pulls it off for this year, it might measure only baseline trends similar to Samsung’s blood pressure feature on the Galaxy Watch 7 and Ultra (not supported in the US). 

Glucose monitoring is another long-running rumor that’s on the table, but according to Gurman, it’s even further from a finished product than blood pressure and realistically wouldn’t appear before 2027.

Biometric authentication: Touch ID or Face ID?

Rumors of a camera on the Apple Watch have been around for a few years — not for selfies, but potentially for Face ID or AI-based image recognition. 

Apple Intelligence on the iPhone introduced a visual search tool that uses the camera to identify objects and places in real time, and it might be a matter of time before this feature eventually makes its way to the wrist. Meanwhile, wearable-focused processors like Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips already support cameras and even livestreaming. Apple is known to use its proprietary chips, so it’s unlikely this would impact Apple’s timeline, but it shows the technology is there, and we may see it down the line on the Apple Watch. Just not this year, according to Bloomberg.

A more feasible near-term option could be Touch ID. Macworld recently spotted lines of internal code suggesting Apple has been experimenting with biometric authentication for the 2026 Apple Watch lineup. According to the report, the code references «AppleMesa,» which is Apple’s internal code name for a watch-based Touch ID. It’s still unclear whether the sensor would be integrated under the display, like we see on Android phones, or built into the side button or the Digital Crown. 

Watch OS 27 wishlist 

Now that Apple has standardized its operating system names to match the year ahead, you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure out that the next big update for the Apple Watch will be WatchOS 27. 

With a major redesign already in the books (5 New Apple Watch Features Coming With WatchOS 26), we’re not expecting a dramatic visual change this time around, but there’s plenty on the wishlist, including better battery management tools and more customizable gesture controls. Apple could also expand Workout Buddy from metric-driven encouragement into more concrete training territory. This could bring it closer to what Samsung is trying with its AI-powered Running Coach.

Lastly, I’d welcome a more robust symptom tracker tied into the Vitals app similar to Oura Ring’s Symptom Radar that can flag early signs of illness. 

Other Health app updates 

The next version of WatchOS 27 could also bring changes to the Health app. According to a report from Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, Apple has been working on a top-secret initiative code-named Project Mulberry, aimed at revamping the Health app with an AI-powered health concierge that could unify your health, fitness, and medical data in one place.

However, the project has recently run into some obstacles. Bloomberg’s latest report suggests Apple has put the effort on hold (at least for this year). That still leaves room for improvement on the Health app front with a potential redesign to the main dashboard that would make spotting trends easier. 

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Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for March 10, #533

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for March 10, No. 533.

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.

Today’s Connections: Sports Edition features a lot of team names, but that doesn’t mean it’s an easy one to solve. If you’re struggling with today’s puzzle but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by The Times. It doesn’t appear in the NYT Games app, but it does in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Play ball!

Green group hint: Not front.

Blue group hint: Certain NFL player.

Purple group hint: They play at Smoothie King Center.

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: An AL Central player.

Green group: Words appearing before «back,» in football.

Blue group: Associated with Derrick Henry.

Purple group: New Orleans Pelicans.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is an AL Central player. The four answers are Guardian, Royal, Tiger and Twin.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is words appearing before «back,» in football. The four answers are corner, defensive, full and running.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is associated with Derrick Henry. The four answers are Heisman, King, Ravens and Titans.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is New Orleans Pelicans. The four answers are Bey, Fears, Murphy and Queen.

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