AstraZeneca reported positive results for coronavirus drug | AZD7442 reduced the risk of developing severe forms of the disease by 67%

a coronavirus antibody cocktail developed by the laboratory AstraZeneca bold positive results in clinical trials phase 3. The company has a contract with the United States to provide up to 700,000 doses of this treatment.

Drugs, called AZD7442, consists of a combination of antibodies. The trials “resulted in a statistically satisfactory reduction in ‘severe’ covid-19 cases or disease-related deaths compared to placebo in ambulatory patients with mild or moderate symptoms. “

How was the study carried out in phase 3 of AZD7442

As AstraZeneca explained in a statement, 90 percent of study participants were considered high-risk patients -for example, with comorbidities- and with the possibility of developing severe forms of coronavirus.

The participants received the treatment within five days of the first symptoms, and a preliminary analysis of the results showed that “AZD7442 reduced the risk of developing severe or fatal COVID-19 in 67% of cases compared to placebo”the statement said.

Emergency clearance

“As severe cases of COVID-19 continue around the world, there is a significant need for new therapies such as AZD7442 to protect vulnerable populations,” said Hugh Montgomery, professor of critical care medicine at the University College London and one of the leading researchers in this field. clinical trial, in which 903 people took part.

The Anglo-Swedish laboratory will present the data to health authorities and has already filed a request with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve the treatment.

In March, AstraZeneca announced an agreement with the United States to provide up to 700,000 doses of this treatment with antibodies against the country this year for a total of $ 726 million.