Why Should I Trust You? A Conversation w Invivyd's Marc Elia + Dr. Michael Mina: On Monoclonal Antibodies, Treatment v Prevention, and Giving Patients Options
Feb 12, 2026
Marc Elia, Invivyd board chair with finance and biotech experience, and Dr. Michael Mina, epidemiologist and immunologist who led Test-to-Treat, discuss monoclonal antibodies. They cover how monoclonals work across diseases, their roles as treatment versus prevention, using them alongside vaccines, prospects for measles and RSV therapeutics, cost and market challenges, and rebuilding public trust in medical choices.
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How Monoclonals Work In The Body
- Monoclonal antibodies act like lab-made clone defenders that latch onto a specific threat and neutralize it in the body.
- They work immediately but typically persist for a shorter time than vaccines, making them strong therapeutics or short-term prophylaxis.
Vaccine Memory Versus Immediate Defense
- Vaccines teach the immune system to build lasting memory before infection occurs, while monoclonals deliver immediate, external antibodies after or around exposure.
- That difference makes vaccines better for durable protection and monoclonals better for immediate or high-risk short-term protection.
Use Monoclonals For Fast Or High-Risk Cases
- Use monoclonal antibodies to block viruses from entering cells or to flag cancer cells for immune attack when rapid action is needed.
- Consider monoclonals especially for immunocompromised patients or those who cannot get effective vaccine protection.