AstraZeneca antibody treatment did not meet the main objectives in the last attempt

AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 antibody treatment did not meet its main goals in its last trial, but it showed that it can prevent people affected by the virus from developing the disease if given early enough.

The phase 3 trial of AZD7442 treatment showed that it was not more effective than placebo. Of the 1,121 participants who had contact with an infected person, 23 developed symptomatic Covid-19 with the drug, with 17 developing placebo.

The treatment is separate from the company’s vaccines, which are used worldwide to protect against coronavirus.

AstraZeneca has agreed to supply up to 700,000 doses of antibody treatment to the U.S. government for $ 726 million.

However, the AZD7442 results were more encouraging when the drug was given to patients who had not yet tested positive for the virus, reducing the risk of developing the condition by 73%.

“Although this trial did not meet the first point against symptomatic disease, it encourages the support of negative PCR participants after treatment with AZD7442,” said Mene Pangalos, AstraZeneca’s executive vice president of biopharmaceutical research and development.

Treatment is in several late-stage trials, with a combined 9,000 participants. Myron Levin, a professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and chief investigator of the trial, said another trial called Provent will provide more data about that patient population.

“Although Covid-19 vaccination efforts have been successful, there is a significant need for prevention and treatment options for certain populations who are unable to be vaccinated or who may have an inappropriate response to the vaccine,” the professor said.

Antibodies from companies like Regeneron and Eli Lilly have been treated to boost the immune response of patients with Covid-19. Former U.S. President Donald Trump was among the recipients of Regeneron’s treatment.

But it could also be given prophylactically to people who may develop the disease. In a trial of long-term care facility residents and staff, Eli Lilly’s bamlanivim antibody reduced the risk of infection by 80 percent in participants who reported a negative risk.

The search for drugs to treat Covid-19 has only been so fruitful in the rapid development of many vaccines against the disease, there have been doubts as to how remdesivir works against birds.

Antibody treatments have been a clear point, but they are difficult to change to administer early enough during the illness. Because the vaccine is widespread in the West, the demand for these treatments is likely to fall – and they are too expensive for developing countries.