It is expected that on the evening of November 18, AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot will chair a press conference to announce the results of the 6-month trial of PROVENT and TACKLE for AZD7442 antibody therapy.

Last month, AstraZeneca announced the results of its phase three clinical trial – the final stage before submitting an application for approval.

Thus, after the successful vaccine race, scientists continue to work towards preparing special drugs to treat Covid-19 – a potential area that has been neglected throughout 2020. Popular methods, besides antiviral drugs

Mechanism of action

AZD7442 contains two monoclonal antibodies: tixagevimab and cilgavimab, originating from patients who have recovered from nCoV infection.

After destroying pathogens, antibodies remain in the human body for a period of time, creating part of the immune memory.

Efficiency

AstraZeneca conducted two studies, PROVENT and TACKLE, to analyze the effectiveness of the AZD7442 antibody therapy.

In the phase 3 PROVENT study, the therapy reduced the risk of symptomatic Covid-19 by 77% compared with placebo.

Graphical simulation of nCoV variants.

Appropriate group for drug use

AZD7442 can protect many different groups of people, especially people who are naturally immunocompromised or are taking medication to treat another disease.

Therapy is also suitable for people who cannot be vaccinated because of allergies or vaccine intolerance;

Vaccines have the ability to provide long-term protection against Covid-19, and are the fastest and most effective method to help repel the pandemic to date.

AZD7442 could be a viable choice.

To prevent severe disease, drugs like AZD7442 need to be used early, when the patient is first infected with the virus, before the body has an excessive immune response (creating a cytokine storm).

However, monoclonal antibody treatments are notoriously expensive.