Some are and some are not.
A monoclonal antibody is an antibody (a protein) that is produced by a single clone of cells and has identical antibody molecules on the protein.
REGEN-COV
The one of greatest interest these days is REGEN-COV from Regeneron. It is a combination to two monoclonal antibodies, casirivimab (REGN10933) and imdevimab (REGN10987).
It was developed and tested with the HEK-293T aborted fetal cell lines according to Regeneron’s publication in Cell journal. Another preprint paper in collaboration with Regeneron describes the use of Freestyle 293 cells in the production of REGN10933 and REGN10987, as does this paper in Science journal. We have not been able to verify whether this same production process is used in manufacturing.
Sotrovimab
Biologics code is VIR-7831. Lenti X-293T cells are used in production; see lines 339 and 415. These cells are a subclone of HEK 293. A subclone is a cell that has been genetically modified from a previous instance. This is often done to alter (enhance or attenuate) a cell’s expression characteristics. In this case, the ‘parent’ HEK-293 cell is modified by a DNA segment to enhance the expression of viral proteins and increase the ease of transfection (infection).
Casirivimab
Uses ACE2-293, HEK-293T, Freestyle 293 cell lines; see above information for REGEN-COV.
Imdevimab
Uses ACE2-293, HEK-293T, Freestyle 293 cell lines; see above information for REGEN-COV.
Bamlanivimab
Biologics code is LY-Cov555. This paper describes the use of HD 293F cells in production of the antibody. The Supplemental Materials of this pre-print paper describe the use of the same cells in production and testing.
Tocilizumab
Also called RoActemra. Produced in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells; see Product Review. The Assessment Report also does not describe the use of any aborted fetal cell lines.
It looks like only 1 of the treatments lists “reporting” no human cells/cell lines. Some is more than one, so why does it say “some are, and some are not” in answer to the question about abortion tainting?
There are many more monoclonal antibodies in development than what is presented.
Those monoclonal antibodies that are developed using a recombinant process can still be from fetal cell line and further developed In CHO – Chinese Hamster Ovary. It’s a complicated process and not clearly reported in monographs or medical literature. Subsequent research required to uncover.
Sir, do you have any information on the production of brentuximab, for anaplastic large cell lymphoma?
David, we do not. I will look into it for you. Stay tuned.
I wish I’d seen this report earlier. I was diagnosed with Covid on Christmas Eve, received the Regeneron monoclonal antibodies on 12/27. I have, to this point, remained unvaccinated.
This has been known since Trump received the Regeneron treatment in 2020. Personhood and cog reported this back then, but pretty quietly. He was the 1st major figure to take it.
I’d like to see more discussion on the use of the mice being grafted with fetal tissue being used to manufacture some of these monoclonals… While I object to anything using fetal cells/tissue, fresh abortions for medication sounds even worse.
are ACE2-293 and Freestyle 293 also from aborted fetal tissue? How about the anti-viral medicine remdesivir?? any info on that?
Donna, yes they are. They are modified from the original HEK-293 cells to enhance certain expression characteristics. Rest assured that they are aborted fetal cell lines.
What!!! – I just heard a news report that says that monoclonal antibody infusion used the cells of children murdered by abortion. I asked the doctor before I got the treatment what was in it! I’ve been lied to !!! I would have NEVER had the treatment if I was INFORMED that they used murdered children to produce this stuff !!! Lord forgive me !!!
Ray, I am just learning this now as I am going over my deceased husband’s hospital records from nearly two years ago. We also accepted the treatment (bamlanivimab and etesevimab) for him in ignorance. We also had been careful to refuse vaccines for ourselves and our children. We were, frankly, both sick and scared. We did not take the time to research this as we ought to have done. I pray for the forgiveness of the Lord, also.
Josephine, we’re so sorry for your loss! Please don’t concern yourself over the history of the medication. Not knowing is a defense in absolute – trust in the infinite mercy of our Lord. I can’t imagine the stress and fear you endured, and I pray that you leave any residual worries about tainted medications behind you, where they belong.
Is the newly approved oral covid 19 treatment Baricitinib ethically developed, tested and produced? Thank you for all your work….God bless you now and always…….
Jean, I don’t have the answer to your specific question, but the FDA has authorized (NOT approved) baricitinib only in combination with Remdesivir as a COVID-19 treatment. This dates back to November of 2020. Baricitinib was developed as a treatment for moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis. I’ll check on its development history and advise shortly. The WHO has recently aligned with the FDA, authorizing and recommending the treatment.
Is remdesivir abortion tainted? Thank you!
Yes, it is.
I would like to add. Remdesivir/steroids is the only protocol that the NIH is recommending and most hospitals are using. Please be aware that this drug is harming people more than helping people. It causes Acute Renal Failure and other organ failure. And most people that are put on this, do not make it.
You can search Dr. Bryan Ardis, Dr. Peter McCullogh talks about it with Joe Rogan. Etc. You need to do your research. Early treatment is key. Ivermectin and HCQ work. There are government documents stating the American Government knew this and with held these treatments from the a American people. (Project Veritas uncovered this).
Please do your research!
So the only one that doesn’t use aborted fetal lines is the Chinese Tocilizumab??
Based on what we’ve seen to date, yes, that is correct.
Thank you for your response
So am I correct that due to my Catholic Religious beliefs that I am okay to use Actemra? I Thank you Mr. Trasancos in advance for your reply.
Judi,
The short answer is ‘yes’. We found no evidence that aborted fetal cell lines or aborted fetal tissue were used anywhere in the development and preclinical testing of Actemra (tocilizumab).
Does the Monoclonal Infusion Sotrovimab Injection 500 mg/8 ML have aborted fetal lines? How about mice? Will you get cancer from this injection?
Lee,
Sotrovimab was developed using a variation of the HEK-293 cell line. It does not contain them, but they were used in the drug’s development. As for any carcinogenic risks, all we can say is there is nothing in the trials literature addressing this question. An oncologist may be able to offer guidance on this.
Thanks Jose So my monoclonal infusion didn’t contain fetal particles of any kind? Lee
Lee,
No, your infusion did not contain any fetal material of any kind. The antibody itself was produced in Vero-E6 cells. Aborted fetal cells were used by the research team to replicate the SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins and the pseudovirus for testing purposes.
Why no comment back in 2020 when this was known? Correction. Cog refused to comment to business insider back in Fall 2020. The connection of Regeneron with HEK 293 fetal tissue was known before Trump used it. .” Children of God for Life and the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates, a similar group, denied Insider’s request for comment on the origin of Regeneron’s treatment and the president’s endorsement of the drug.“ https://www.businessinsider.com/anti-abortion-groups-dont-mind-trump-drug-tested-fetal-tissue-2020-10
Guy,
You may or may not know that Children of God for Life is under different leadership at this time and Debi is enjoying a well-deserved retirement.
The article you linked to was politically oriented. The use of aborted fetal cell lines was not the principal focus of the article, rather it seemed to be a vehicle by which hypocrisy on the part of a political figure could be alleged. Debi Vinnedge declined to comment on the article for precise reasons known only to her, but I will say that if her declination was motivated by the political nature of the story, her decision is worthy of respect. I, too, would decline to comment on such a story.
In a comment you posted above, you said yourself that Children of God for Life presented the facts associated with the development and testing of REGEN-COV. That is how we approach things, so I’m puzzled by what you claim to be correcting. We present what is authoritative and credible, encouraging people to make properly informed decisions based on facts and taking into consideration their unique circumstances. The value judgments belong to the individual and we provide resources that allow these value judgments to be properly formed. Political observations aimed at a personal level (the focus of the article you mention) tend to frustrate and confuse this process.
What we do is predicated on the position that abortion is a great evil, a gross insult before God, and the continued exploitation of the killed unborn must be brought to an end. Reliable, authoritative and credible information is essential to serving that mission. Politics at a personal level does not serve that mission. There are plenty of websites and blogs that center on political commentary, opinion and all manner of axes to grind. This is not one of those websites. We seek to end the use of aborted children in science and research.
Can you tell me if it’s morally wrong for a pro life Christian to take Sotrovimab because HEK-293 cells were used in it’s development? How were they used? I don’t want to do anything that I would regret later. I’m positive for Covid now and I would have to get it very soon to be in the window they allow it to be given.
Mary, only you can answer this for yourself and for your unique circumstances. The fact that aborted fetal cell lines are commonly used in pharmaceutical research is not your fault. It is reality. Church teachings and guidance on this issue are clear and very rational. Recognizing that an individual cannot be held responsible for the state of the world, the Church rightfully instructs a Christian that they can receive a treatment or medication tainted by abortion with a clear conscience, provided a grave need exists and the individual commits to doing all they can to effect change.
No one knows the totality of your circumstances better than you and God. If, through prayer and discernment, you conclude that the treatment is the prudent course of action, your decision must be respected. If one’s actions are directed by a properly formed conscience, the actions cannot be wrong. So says the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Our prayers are with you.
Thank you for your answer. I will wait until the last day to see if my symptoms improve before I make a decision. I am in the older category with co-morbidities as well. It is also EUA which I’m not prone to want. I’ll keep up with all my natural healing things I have on hand and pray for the symptoms to go away. After all, Omicron is supposed to be less debilitating. 🙏🙏🙏
I’m struggling to make sense of all of this, and to seek truth as I am an RN caring for COVID patients on a daily basis. I wish to give life -saving treatments to those in need, but remain moral and ethically intact as a pro-life Christian. We provide Sotrovimab in my facility. I am praying for wisdom and seek out your site for clarification on these therapeutics. Again, for some, these treatments are life-saving. Thank you for your valuable information.
Trose, grave need is always something that belongs in the calculus. We cannot change what is or what was, we can only change what will be. Our position has never been to abstain from these drugs at all costs. We have counseled people to make prudent decisions based on individual circumstances and to commit and resolve to make a difference. If a person is in grave need and if that need is served or mitigated by a drug, even one that is tainted by abortion, that drug can be administered with a clear conscience, provided the commitment and resolve to make a difference, to fight for ethical alternatives, is taken seriously. We appreciate and commend your heartfelt desire to do the right thing!
I can relate… I declined to take a job administering monoclonal therapies where I would make double my current pay… It felt terribly inconsistent to have a religious objection and take a job doing exactly what I objected to. As I went through Nursing school, I was fine with the thought of a vaccine such as MMR to give to someone who wanted it but I decided I would never work at a vaccine clinic. I had quite a dilemma when I found out about Epogen and Procrit… made me question nursing in general. As it stands, I seek employment at places where the moral objections are not the center of the job and the rest is the patient choice not mine. Myself, well… I don’t use any of it tested or produced which has been complicated and takes extra work but is doable.
Work side… its easy to get a job right now if I compromise on what they are administering, but virtually impossible for avoiding the vaccines and the medications… There are places to work but most of them would require moving.
Does Rituximab by Genentech have aborted fetal lines? And same questions as Lee: How about mice? Will you get cancer from this infusion?
Jen, Rituximab was developed as a treatment for Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. The antibodies were expressed and cultured using CHO (Chinese Hamster Ovary) cell lines and adult human lymphoma cell lines were used in testing. It would appear that the research, development and testing of this monoclonal antibody were ethically uncompromised. As for its carcinogenic properties, we have no information on this. An oncologist might be able to give you that information.
Thank you. I appreciate your response and the information!
The package insert says that there is an increased risk of lymphoma if you use rituxan for RA. Rheumatoid arthritis and other auto immune diseases also increase your risk for lymphoma. It’s hard to know if it is one or the other. I’m a nurse practitioner and I’m on that drug for RA too. It has helped me a lot but one day I will pay the piper so to speak for using it. Either it will not work anymore or I’ll get lymphoma. It also treats lymphoma but I don’t know if you were on it when you get lymphoma if it is the treatment of choice.
How about Evusheld by AstroZeneca? It looks as though it is made of donated plasma from previously infected patients.
Patricia, you’re correct with regard to the source of the antibodies, however, the development of this monoclonal antibody combination relied upon aborted fetal cell lines in several stages. This paper, published in Nature this past September, details the use of aborted fetal cell lines (Expi-293 and FreeStyle-293) in the expression of the SARS-CoV-2 S glycoprotein and a sensitivity analysis of various mutations.
Thank you Jose. It’s hard to know exactly where to look for all this information.I tried to get onto the FDA website but it froze hours ago…. I know we’re on the topic of COVID related monoclonals but what about the relatively new bone drug Prolia (Denosumab)?
This is where I generally go first when looking
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm
Thanks Caleb. I was able to see that it was from human monoclonal antibodies. Is that enough to tell me that it was taken from fetal tissue? Where can I find the derivation of the cells?
Quote:
Xgeva (denosumab) is a human IgG2 monoclonal antibody that binds to human RANKL. Denosumab
has an approximate molecular weight of 147 kDa and is produced in genetically engineered mammalian
(Chinese hamster ovary) cells.
Sounds good but where did the antibody come from?
https://asbmr.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1359/jbmr.081112
quote:
Denosumab is a fully human monoclonal IgG2 antibody against human RANKL that was produced using transgenic Xenomouse technology.30,31 CHO cells were used to express an active fragment of human recombinant RANKL (amino acids 143–317), which includes the complete TNF domain encoded by exon 5 of the human RANKL gene.2 Murine RANKL (158–316) was also expressed in bacteria and purified from the soluble fraction as described previously.2 These RANKL proteins were used in studies described in Fig. 1. Bacterially expressed recombinant human TRAIL comprised amino acids 95–281 and contained an N-terminal FLAG tag. Anti-FLAG M2 monoclonal antibody was purchased from Sigma-Aldrich. The relative affinity and potency of the chimeric (Mu/Hu) form RANKL expressed by huRANKL mice was studied by cloning and expressing FLAG-tagged versions of the ectodomains of human (159–317), murine (158–316), and chimeric RANKL (158–317) in bacteria. Chimeric RANKL comprised murine sequence 158–176 and human sequence 178–317, as described in Fig. 2.
From this I’m going to focus on the Xenomouse itself although other aspects may be compromised as well.
https://www.bioprocessonline.com/doc/transgenic-mice-that-produce-fully-humanized-0001
Quote:
Into these host animals is transferred megabase-sized fragments from the human heavy and kappa light chain loci encompassing roughly 80% of the human immunoglobin gene in germ-line configuration, including some 34 of a possible 41 variable regions. Hence, rather than engineering individual antibody molecules against specific antigens, a time-consuming and technically difficult process, XenoMouse technology has the animal do all the work, using the intact host immune system to generate a repertoire of high affinity antibodies.
It uses human cells, we kind of knew this but what cells?
https://www.flandershealth.us/prostate-cancer/development-of-xenomouse-technology.html
Quote:
Next, the human Ig loci on YACs were successfully introduced and integrated into the mouse genome by fusing the yeast sphero-plasts with mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells (35,36). XenoMouse animals were thereafter created by successive breeding of human-Ig YAC-bearing transgenic mice against the double-deleted genetic
More on the exact technique
https://www.nature.com/articles/nbt.2825
If immunized with an antigen of interest, transgenic mice with large portions of unrearranged human immunoglobulin loci can produce fully human antigen-specific antibodies; several such antibodies are in clinical use. However, technical limitations inherent to conventional transgenic technology and sequence divergence between the human and mouse immunoglobulin constant regions limit the utility of these mice. Here, using repetitive cycles of genome engineering in embryonic stem cells, we have inserted the entire human immunoglobulin variable-gene repertoire (2.7 Mb) into the mouse genome, leaving the mouse constant regions intact. These transgenic mice are viable and fertile, with an immune system resembling that of wild-type mice. Antigen immunization results in production of high-affinity antibodies with long human-like complementarity-determining region 3
Finally we find a scrap of truth but its still not a solid link to know for sure they uses Embryonic cells but its a good bet. In my experience, they are very forthright about the cell line if its an adult cell line…
I would personally believe it to be compromised unless I had further info contrary to that.
I am currently taking Forteo for osteoporosis. How do you go about finding information as to whether fetal tissue or lines have been used and whether they are in the medication? Can’t seem to find anything online or on the manufacturer’s web site. Thank you, Susan
Susan, Forteo’s (teriparatide) biologics code is LY333334. In vitro studies of this drug made use of HEK-293 cell lines in the development phases leading up to clinical trials. Here is a link to the paper published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
Vorrei sapere se gli anticorpi monoclonali per curare l’emicrania sono etici. Grazie.
Appreciate what you’ve uncovered. It’s been on my conscience and, how amazing is it that your website was found by chance from an article that I happened to read. Can now make things right.
God Bless you and your team,
Susan
Any information on Sarilumab (also known as KEVZARA) by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi? I had read something last year that Sanofi was going to avoid using aborted fetal tissue in the production of their vaccines. Thanks for any information that you may have.
Sara, it appears that Sarilumab was ethically developed, tested and manufactured. Development and testing relied on VeloCimmune humanized mice and the genetic modifications to these mice were also executed without the use of aborted fetal cell lines. Reference to an ELISA kit from R&D Systems was also researched and the kit used by the development team relied upon E. coli cells as an expression medium.
This has been known since Trump received the Regeneron treatment in 2020. Personhood and cog reported this back then, but pretty quietly. He was the 1st major figure to take it.
Correction. Cog refused to comment to business insider back in Fall 2020. The connection of Regeneron with HEK 293 fetal tissue was known before Trump used it. .” Children of God for Life and the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates, a similar group, denied Insider’s request for comment on the origin of Regeneron’s treatment and the president’s endorsement of the drug.“ https://www.businessinsider.com/anti-abortion-groups-dont-mind-trump-drug-tested-fetal-tissue-2020-10
The discussion between Sara, Jose’, and Guy has me confused about Sarilumab. Is it or is it not ethically developed, tested, etc.? I’ve not heard of it until this discussion. Is it a treatment for Covid or a vaccine? Please advise/inform. Thank you!
Alli, to the best of our knowledge, Sarilumab is not ethically compromised. I have not encountered any different information since I wrote my assessment some weeks back. I’m sorry for the confusion, but that’s what happens when some folks get off point.
Jose, I read in one of the above conversations that Tocilizumab is ethical. Do you know if it is available in the US? I am trying to be prepared in case a loved one contracts Covid in the future and is in need. Thank you!
Alli, see my other response. Our Frequently Asked Questions post has some information on several monoclonal antibodies. As for availability, I suspect supply varies significantly by region. I suggest checking with your doctor or a local hospital.
Also, what about bamlaniivimab? (sorry, unsure of spelling) Ethical or not?
Bamlanivimab was developed using aborted fetal cell lines. You may want to refer to our FAQs for information on several monoclonal antibodies. Tocilizumab is mentioned there as well.
(Morally acceptable) Fluvoxamine update: ” Paul Auwaerter, clinical director in the division of infectious diseases at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, agreed that more evidence was needed for fluvoxamine. But because some of the pricier treatments are in short supply, he and colleagues have updated in-house treatment guidelines to say fluvoxamine should be considered for outpatients when other options are unavailable.” (Philadelphia Inquirer, Jan. 20)
Are any of the anti CD20 drugs including Rituximab, Ocrevus, and Kesimpta (used for the treatment of MS) ethically derived?
Rituximab was developed using adult lymphoma and leukemia cell lines. The controls for the in vitro testing were ovarian cells and AIDS-related lymphoma cells. I’ll post assessments for the other two drugs shortly.
The patent for Ocrevus states that the preferred biologic platform for production is embryonic stem cells, although the patent authors mention the following: “Any cell type capable of homologous recombination may be used in the practice of the present invention.”. Given the statement regarding the preferred platform, one may conclude that ESCs are used in the production of Ocrevus.
Kesimpta was developed and is produced using murine NS0 cell lines (mouse).
As we can see, there are quite a few ways to skin a cat, even in biomedical research and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Here, we have three different CD20-directed cytolitic antibodies, each with a different development and production process.
I’m sorry to trouble you but could you tell me if Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) for the treatment of MS is made/tested ethically? Thank you very much.
Thank you so much for your response! I am so thankful for you looking into this. So much of the information you read is difficult to understand! May God continue to bless you and all that you do!❤️❤️❤️
Would you know if the Covid vaccine developed by Sanofi and Glaxo,Smith Kline (GSK) using adjuvant technology not mRNA is still free of any fetal stem cell connection? Application for approval was just reported, and this was one vaccine candidate that had not used stem cell lines. I would appreciate an answer if possible——I was hopeful for this vaccine and disappointed when its advancement was delayed —-A news article today 2/23/22 reported by CNBC states it has a high level of effectiveness against severe covid and hospitalization. Thank you for all you do to defend the unborn.
This paper, made available in pre-print in March of 2021, describes the use of HEK-293T/17 and 293-hACE2 cell lines in pseudovirus neutralization assays and pseudovirus transfection processes. This vaccine candidate is yet another that brought aborted fetal cell lines into development and testing late in the game.
Thank you for your quick response…….it is disappointing that there appear to be no vaccine or treatment for Covid that is not ethically tainted……Would you be sharing updates if any such untainted vaccine or treatment option does become likely? Thanks again for all you do to provide information.
Jean, there are treatments, ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine. Go to FLCCC and contact a doctor in your state so you have it on hand in case you need it. In addition: eat an anti-inflammatory diet, exercise, take vit D3, Zinc, N acetyl cysteine and losing weight if you need to. FLCCC has prevention protocol on their website.
Thanks for the info. I’ve taken d3 and zinc….as preventative measures , been blessed with good health Thank God………appreciate you taking the time and effort to share and comment.
Jose, I cannot find any connection with the use of aborted fetal cells or cell lines in regard to the Corbevax vaccine which was invented in TX
by Dr. Peter Hotez and team. It seems to be answered prayer: effective, safe, inexpensive and available to any country in the world that can make it. There are no patents so the “recipe” is free. He is a humanitarian as he wants it to be available to the poor. India already has it in production. (He has already been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for this drug.) Since it is only $1.90 per dose, there is no profit to be made. Perhaps that is why the U.S. is not offering it as a choice. Can you check the morality of Corbevax? Thank you.
Joan, while the development and testing of Corbevax did not DIRECTLY use aborted fetal cells, there were two commercial biologics used that are produced in aborted fetal cell lines.
The first is a human ACE-2 protein, ACE-2-hFc (LakePharma, San Carlos, CA, USA; Cat # 46672). This preparation was used in in vitro functional assays, in this case testing the efficacy of ACE-2 binding. Link to the supplier’s page, here.
The second is a monoclonal antibody used to test three different RBD regions (Sino Biological, Beijing, China; Cat # 40150-R007). Link to the supplier’s page, here.
The development team for Corbevax did not DIRECTLY use aborted fetal cell lines. The DID use two commercial biologics that are grown in aborted fetal cell lines. The connection to abortion is once removed, but there, nonetheless.
The paper, published in ScienceDirect, may be found here.
My wife as osteoporosis- which treatments are ethical and which are unethical? Any non-prescription alternatives? God bless.
Does Regeneron used aborted stem cells or cell lines in the development testing or manufacture of their VelocImmune products? Such as Praluent.
Is paxlovid or molnupiravir developed, tested, and produced ethically?
Ann, please see this post for information on these antivirals.
What is your opinion on dostarlimab? Seems to be a miracle drug for curing cancer or so they say
Interested in findings on Opdivo & Yervoy
Opdivo (nivolumab) was developed and tested in CHO (Chinese Hamster Ovary) and SK-MEL-3 (adult human, carcinoma) cell lines. Aborted fetal cell lines were not used in the development and testing of this monoclonal antibody. See this publication for more detail.
Yervoy (ipilimumab) is similarly developed, tested and produced in CHO cell lines. Here’s a link to the FDA documentation on this monoclonal antibody.
Hi can you tell me if aborted cell lines are used in making Alirocumab? (trade name Praluent, a human monoclonal antibody injection for lowering cholesterol). I know they utilize hamster ovary but don’t know if they ALSO use aborted cell lines. Thank you so much!
Can you speak to the mono. Antibody treatment repatha (evolocumab) shots (biweekly) for cholesterol/heart disease related treatment? I found it contains living cells, and references Chinese hampster, but I cannot find if aborted babies cells were used in the development or end result of the treatment?
Thank you!
Jessica, evolocumab was developed and pre-clinically tested using rodent cell lines and CHO (Chine Hamster Ovary) cell lines. We have found no evidence that aborted fetal cell lines or tissue was used in its development and pre-clinical testing.
Excellent- thank you so much!