Yahoo Finance AstraZeneca hails late-stage trial of new drug for vulnerable people not protected by Covid vaccines
AstraZeneca today said a Covid drug for vulnerable people not adequately protected by existing vaccines had shown encouraging results in a late-stage trial.
The pharmaceutical company said there were no cases of severe Covid-19 or deaths in those treated with AZD7442, which is a combination of two long-acting antibodies.
The University of Colorado’s Myron Levin, the lead investigator on the trial, said: “With these exciting results, AZD7442 could be an important tool in our arsenal to help people who may need more than a vaccine to return to their normal lives.”
There were more than 5,000 participants in the global trial, which focused on those with a potentially inadequate response to immunisation. Three-quarters had conditions that are associated with an increased risk for severe Covid-19 should they become infected.
Astra’s biopharma R&D vice-president Mene Pangalos said: “We need additional approaches for individuals who are not adequately protected by Covid-19 vaccines.
Pangalos added: “We are very encouraged by these efficacy and safety data in high-risk people, showing our long-acting antibody combination has the potential to protect from symptomatic and severe disease, alongside vaccines.”
In a separate announcement, Astra said its recently acquired Alexion business has discontinued its trial of a potential treatment for adults with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a rare disease affecting the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
Read More
Young Afghan refugee, 5, who fell to his death from hotel window named
British student feels ‘helpless and hopeless’ after attempts to flee Kabul
Chatter, stripper or hugger — which type of dancer are you?
