Top Donor Has Huge Stake In Drug Touted By DeSantis

August 18, 2021 Coronavirus, Republicans

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — who has been criticized for opposing mask mandates and vaccine passports — is now touting a COVID-19 antibody treatment in which a top donor’s company has invested millions of dollars.

DeSantis has been flying around the state promoting Regeneron, a monoclonal antibody treatment that was used on then-President Donald Trump after he tested positive for COVID-19. The governor first began talking about it as a treatment last year.

Citadel, a Chicago-based hedge fund, has $15.9 million in shares of Regeneron Pharmaceutical, according to filings with the SEC.. Citadel CEO Ken Griffin has donated $10.75 million to a political committee that supports DeSantis — $5.75 million in 2018 and $5 million last April.

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Called it:

“Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — who has been criticized for opposing mask mandates and vaccine passports — is now touting a COVID-19 antibody treatment in which a top donor’s company has invested millions of dollars.”https://t.co/a5oRfgGkVl

— David Hogg (@davidhogg111) August 18, 2021

Monoclonal antibody treatments such as Regeneron have had a major impact in preventing hospitalizations & saved lives. We are utilizing monoclonal antibody strike teams to bring treatment directly to our vulnerable populations in long-term care facilities.https://t.co/s2L5aOiqdI pic.twitter.com/fB5v1Q4Jj2

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) August 12, 2021

As of today, the Camping World Stadium in Orlando will serve as a monoclonal antibody treatment site, open 7 days a week, with a capacity of 320 patients a day.

Expanding access to this treatment will help our most vulnerable stay out of the hospital and save lives. pic.twitter.com/jGl1ClSj6k

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) August 16, 2021

Today, we are opening a new monoclonal antibody treatment site in Merritt Island at Kiwanis Island Park.

✔️It’s open from 9AM – 7PM, 7 days a week, and
✔️Has the capacity to serve more than 300 patients per day.

Find more info at https://t.co/SVZEvCb03k

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) August 17, 2021

Monoclonal antibodies have been used to combat COVID-19 in earnest for almost all of 2021, but they have not received much attention.

The results have been positive, but the key is having patients receive it in time, early enough in the infection to neutralize the virus. pic.twitter.com/VjFy0qHsDF

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) August 14, 2021

4/30/21 Griffin gave $5 million to DeSantis' PAC. Regeneron – $481 per share. Griffin is 2nd largest Regeneron shareholder & largest DeSantis contributor. 8/4/21 DeSantis call with Regeneron CEO & past several days traveling state pushing Regeneron. Regeneron now $628 per share

— Daniel Uhlfelder (@DWUhlfelderLaw) August 17, 2021