AstraZeneca (AZN.L) has requested emergency use authorization from US regulators for its novel COVID-19 prevention therapy for persons with weaker immune systems who do not respond well to vaccinations.
The Anglo-Swedish company said in a statement on Tuesday that it included results from a late-stage trial in its submission with the Food and Medicine Administration that indicated the drug lowered the chance of persons acquiring any COVID-19 symptoms by 77 percent.
According to AstraZeneca, the antibody therapy AZD7442 could protect those who do not have a robust enough immune response to COVID-19 vaccines or augment a vaccination course for those who need to strengthen their protection further, such as military personnel.
AZD7442 contains lab-made antibodies meant to remain in the body for months to confine the virus in the event of an infection, whereas vaccinations rely on an undamaged immune system to create targeted antibodies and infection-fighting cells.
Rivals Regeneron (REGN.O), Eli Lilly (LLY.N), and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK.L), along with partner Vir (VIR.O), are developing COVID-19 treatments based on the same family of monoclonal antibodies. However, Astra's filing has solidified its position as the leader in prevention.
In contrast, Astra's COVID-19 vaccine Vaxzevria has been delayed in receiving FDA clearance in the United States, where the vast majority of people willing to be immunised have got shots from the Pfizer-BioNTech (PFE.N)(22UAy.DE) alliance, Moderna (MRNA.O), or Johnson & Johnson.
In July, Astra stated that the vaccine would be approved in the United States in the second half of this year.
The AZD7442 therapy was originally tested three months after injection and the results were published in August, but the business aims to market the shot as a year-long shield because study investigators will follow up with patients for up to 15 months.
Content created and supplied by: MarthaAnyesi (via Opera News )
COMMENTS