The company announced Monday that the antibody drug AstraZeneca used to treat severe COVID-19 reduced the risk by at least 50% in a late-stage study.
Two different antibodies were developed from blood samples taken from people with COVID-19. The injection is called AZD7442. The company stated in a press release that it is the first drug of its type to be shown to treat and prevent COVID-19 in late stage trials.
After August's late-stage trials that showed that AZD7442 reduced COVID-19 symptoms by 77 percent, the company has requested FDA approval.
It stated that it would now talk with health authorities about the most recent data.
These results follow Merck's US pharmaceutical company declaring Monday that it will ask FDA for approval of its oral COVID-19 tablet, which reduces the risk of death or hospitalization by half.
AstraZeneca's latest results from the TACKLE trial showed that people who took the drug within seven days after developing COVID-19 symptoms had a half-off chance of dying or getting severe COVID-19. 18 people died or developed severe COVID-19 from the drug. This compares to 37 people who received a saline shot.
The company stated that AZD7442 could be given sooner, within five days of symptoms. This would reduce the risk of severe COVID-19 by 67 percent. This timing resulted in nine deaths or severe COVID-19 in the AZD7442 treatment group, compared to 27 in the placebo group.
AstraZeneca said that the drug was tested on 822 adults suffering from mild to moderate COVID-19. The tests were conducted in 13 countries including the United States and the UK. It works by stopping COVID-19 virus from binding to cells. The side effects were not listed.
Protection for vulnerable persons
Mene Pangalos is the executive vice president of AstraZeneca. He stated in a statement, "early intervention using our antibody can significantly reduce progression to severe diseases, and provide continued protection for over six months."
AstraZeneca examined the drug's effect on day 29 of the TACKLE trial. Participants will be followed for as long as 15 months. AstraZeneca has shown in its early stages that antibodies can last for at least nine months after they are given.
Penny Ward, a visiting professor of pharmaceutical medicine at Kings College in London, stated in a statement that long-lasting immunity, up to 12 month, could be "a useful addition to immune-suppressed people whose response is suboptimal to vaccination."
AstraZeneca stated that 90 percent of the participants in the trial had comorbidities which put them at risk for severe COVID-19. These included cancer, diabetes and obesity. 13 percent were over 65.
Ward stated that monoclonal antibodies given by injections such as AstraZeneca are not compatible with oral pills. She said that this "may make administration easier for these patients."
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