AstraZeneca trial shows reduced risk of severe Covid or death
By Jenny McCall
07:35, 11 October 2021
British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company AstraZeneca reported positive results from its phase three Covid-19 trials.
The group announced on Monday that its treatment trial had shown AstraZeneca’s AZD7442, a long-acting antibody (LAAB) combination, achieved a significant reduction in severe disease or death, compared to a placebo in non-hospitalised patients with mild-to-moderate symptomatic Covid-19.
“The trial met the primary endpoint, with a dose of 600mg of AZD7442 given by intramuscular (IM) injection reducing the risk of developing severe Covid-19 or death (from any cause) by 50% compared to placebo in outpatients who had been symptomatic for seven days or less,” the statement noted.
The trial also found that in a prespecified analysis of participants who received treatment within five days of symptoms occurring, AZD7442 reduced the risk of developing severe disease or death by 67%, compared to a placebo.
Combating Covid 19
AZD7442 is the first LAAB with phase three data to demonstrate benefit in both prophylaxis and treatment of Covid-19, which can be easily administered by an IM injection.
“With continued cases of serious Covid 19 infections across the globe, there is a significant need for new therapies like AZD7442 that can be used to protect vulnerable populations from getting Covid 19 and can also help prevent progression to severe disease,” said Hugh Montgomery, Professor of Intensive Care Medicine at University College London.
“These positive results show that a convenient intramuscular dose of AZD7442 could play an important role in helping combat this devastating pandemic,” he added.
The stock price for AstraZeneca was up 0.08% in early morning trade today.
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