AstraZeneca antibody treatment fails to achieve the main objectives of the last assay

AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 antibody treatment did not achieve its main goals in its last trial, although it showed that it could prevent people exposed to the virus from developing the disease if given it early enough.

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

The treatment is different from the company’s vaccines, which are used around the world to protect against the coronavirus.

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

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

“Although this trial did not meet the primary endpoint against symptomatic disease, we are encouraged by the protection observed in participants with negative PCR after treatment with AZD7442,” said Mene Pangalos, executive vice president of biopharmaceutical research and development at AstraZeneca.

The treatment is performed in several trials in the final phase with 9,000 participants combined. Myron Levin, a professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and a leading trial researcher, said another trial called Provent would give more data on this patient population.

“Although vaccination efforts against Covid-19 have been successful, there is still a significant need for prevention and treatment options for certain populations, including those who cannot be vaccinated or those who may have an inadequate response. to vaccination, ”the professor said.

Antibody treatments from companies such as Regeneron and Eli Lilly have been used to boost the immune response of patients with Covid-19. Former United States President Donald Trump was one of the recipients of the Regeneron treatment.

But they could also be given prophylactically to people who could develop the disease. In a trial with residents and long-term care center staff, Eli Lilly’s bamlanivimab antibody reduced the risk of infection by 80% in participants who tested negative.

The search for drugs to treat Covid-19 has been less fruitful than the rapid development of many vaccines against the disease, with doubts about the proper functioning of the antiviral remdesivir.

Antibody treatments have been a bright spot, but they are difficult to administer early enough during the course of the disease to make a difference. With widespread vaccination in the west, the demand for these treatments is likely to decline, and they are often too expensive for developing countries.