AstraZeneca antibody cocktail 77% effective against symptomatic COVID-19 in clinical trials

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AstraZeneca will apply for regulatory approval of antibody cocktails on Friday, showing in a preliminary study that it is highly effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 and may be a vaccine alternative or supplement. Said.

British-Swedish pharmaceutical company announced at Released on August 20 A combination of two long-acting antibodies derived from convalescent plasma, the drug reduced the risk of symptomatic COVID-19 by 77% in clinical trials.

An antibody cocktail called AZD7442 was evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving more than 5,000 people in multiple countries, including the United States. The study has not yet been peer-reviewed, but AstraZeneca said the full results will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed medical journal.

None of the study participants who received the AstraZeneca drug, which was given as a single dose by intramuscular injection, developed severe COVID-19 or died of the disease, according to the announcement. Among the patients who received placebo, there were 3 serious illnesses and 2 deaths.

AstraZeneca affects people whose participants provide limited protection, with more than three-quarters of participants having comorbidities, including conditions associated with a reduced immune response to the COVID-19 vaccine. Said.

“With these exciting results, AZD7442 could become an important tool in our arsenal to help those who may need more than vaccines to return to normal life. There is, “Dr. Myron J. Levin, a professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, and the principal investigator of the trial said in a statement.

The release of AstraZeneca cast the product as a complement to the vaccine, not a replacement, but refused to obtain any of the several COVID-19 vaccines currently available under an emergency use authorization. Those who do may also find development promising.

“Individuals who are not well protected with the COVID-19 vaccine need an additional approach,” AstraZeneca executive Menepangaros said in a statement. “These efficacy and safety data in high-risk people are very encouraging, and that long-acting antibody combinations, along with vaccines, may protect against symptomatic and severe illness. Is shown. “

AZD7442 is a combination of two B cell-derived antibodies (tyxagebimab and silgabimab) donated by patients who have recovered from COVID-19.

By optimizing human monoclonal antibodies, AstraZeneca has more than tripled its effectiveness durability and extended lifespan. This means that a single shot can provide up to 12 months of protection from COVID-19.

In addition, preliminary “in vitro” findings by researchers at Oxford University and Columbia University show that AstraZeneca’s antibody cocktail neutralizes other variants of COVID-19, including the more contagious delta. It has been shown to be effective.

Tom Ojimek

Tom Ozimek has a broad background in journalism, deposit insurance, marketing and communication, and adult education. The best writing advice he has ever heard is from Roy Peter Clarke.

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