AstraZeneca offers 83% shield above six months

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AstraZeneca reinforced its lead in bringing a preventative COVID-19 shot for the uninfected to market for patients who do not respond well to vaccinations on Thursday, claiming that its antibody medication combination provided 83 percent protection over six months.

In an earlier readout of the late-stage PROVENT trial in August, the injectable medication, known as AZD7442 or Evusheld, was demonstrated to give 77 percent protection against clinical disease after three months.

A further trial in individuals with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 found that a higher dose of AZD7442 reduced the chance of symptoms deteriorating by 88 percent when administered within three days of the onset of symptoms.

The current results from longer-term follow- ups could position AstraZeneca (NASDAQ: AZN) as a future supplier of both COVID-19 vaccinations and treatments, similar to rival Pfizer (NYSE: PFE), with AstraZeneca stating that the therapy’s “true advantage” was as a prophylactic injection.

“These new data add to the growing body of evidence supporting AZD7442’s potential to make a significant difference in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19,” Executive Vice President Mene Pangalos said in a statement.

Story by : Norvisi Mawunyegah