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HEALTH-VIRUS-BRITAIN-US-VACCINE
US funding sees Covid-19 antibody trial enter next phase
LONDON, Oct 12, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – UK pharmaceuticals group AstraZeneca said
on Monday it will advance trials of a Covid-19 treatment to a crucial third
stage, after the United States invested $486 million (411 million euros) in
its development.
The US government’s investment will see up to 100,000 doses delivered
“towards the end of 2020”, with the option for another one million doses next
year, AstraZeneca said.
The company is enrolling 6,100 participants in two separate testing regimes
of the “long-acting antibody (LAAB)” combination treatment in the United
States and other countries, starting “in the next weeks”.
One will evaluate its safety and efficacy “to prevent infection for up to
12 months” and involves around 5,000 participants, the company said in a
statement to the London Stock Exchange.
The second will evaluate post-exposure prophylaxis and pre-emptive
treatment in approximately 1,100 participants, it added.
AstraZeneca said it is also planning additional trials to evaluate the drug
in approximately 4,000 patients for the treatment of Covid-19.
“This agreement with the US government will help accelerate the development
of our long-acting antibody combination which has the potential to provide
immediate and long-lasting effect in both preventing and treating COVID-19
infections,” chief executive Pascal Soriot said.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1610 hrs