AstraZeneca's COVID-19 antibody combination Evusheld has the properties to neutralise Coronavirus variants of Omicron, including the highly-contagious BA.2 sub-variant, the pharmaceutical company said after conducting an independent lab study.

The study done by the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis showed that the therapy reduced the amount of virus detected in samples of all tested Omicron subvariants in mice lungs, the London-listed drugmaker said in a statement on Monday.

The study has yet to be peer reviewed, according to Reuters.

Evusheld, was tested against the BA.1, BA.1.1, and BA.2 subvariants of Omicron and it was also shown to limit inflammation in the lungs.

The drug is a combination of two long-acting antibodies derived from B-cells donated by patients recovering from COVID-19.

"These important data show that Evusheld reduced viral burden and limited inflammation caused by Omicron," AstraZeneca Vice President John Perez in a statement.

"The findings further support Evusheld as a potential important option to help protect vulnerable patients such as the immunocompromised who could face poor outcomes if they were to become infected with COVID-19."

The study conducted on mice demonstrated Evusheld significantly reduced the viral burden and limited inflammation in the lungs for all three sub-variants, the company said.

The antibody cocktail is approved in many European countries and the United States, which gave the nod in December.

The World Health Organisation said last week figures showing a global rise in COVID-19 cases could herald a much bigger problem, as the Omicron and BA.2 variants spread amid the easing of restrictions and testing.

“WHO will continue to closely monitor the BA.2 lineage as part of Omicron and requests countries to continue to be vigilant, to monitor and report sequences, as well as to conduct independent and comparative analyses of the different Omicron sublineages,” it said in a statement.

(With inputs from agencies)

AstraZeneca's COVID-19 antibody combination Evusheld has the properties to neutralise Coronavirus variants of Omicron, including the highly-contagious BA.2 sub-variant, the pharmaceutical company said after conducting an independent lab study.

AstraZeneca's COVID-19 antibody combination Evusheld has the properties to neutralise Coronavirus variants of Omicron, including the highly-contagious BA.2 sub-variant, the pharmaceutical company said after conducting an independent lab study. The study done by the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis showed that the therapy reduced the amount of virus detected in samples of all tested Omicron subvariants in mice lungs, the London-listed drugmaker said in a statement on Monday. The study has yet to be peer reviewed, according to Reuters. Evusheld, was tested against the BA.1, BA.1.1, and BA.2 subvariants of Omicron and it was also shown to limit inflammation in the lungs. The drug is a combination of two long-acting antibodies derived from B-cells donated by patients recovering from COVID-19. "These important data show that Evusheld reduced viral burden and limited inflammation caused by Omicron," AstraZeneca Vice President John Perez in a statement. "The findings further support Evusheld as a potential important option to help protect vulnerable patients such as the immunocompromised who could face poor outcomes if they were to become infected with COVID-19." The study conducted on mice demonstrated Evusheld significantly reduced the viral burden and limited inflammation in the lungs for all three sub-variants, the company said. The antibody cocktail is approved in many European countries and the United States, which gave the nod in December. The World Health Organisation said last week figures showing a global rise in COVID-19 cases could herald a much bigger problem, as the Omicron and BA.2 variants spread amid the easing of restrictions and testing. “WHO will continue to closely monitor the BA.2 lineage as part of Omicron and requests countries to continue to be vigilant, to monitor and report sequences, as well as to conduct independent and comparative analyses of the different Omicron sublineages,” it said in a statement. (With inputs from agencies)

AstraZeneca claims its COVID-19 antibody concoction can neutralise BA.2 Omicron sub-variant

The US Food and Drug Administration has now issued an emergency use authorisation for AstraZeneca's Evusheld to prevent people from the deadly coronavirus. Evusheld comprises two types of synthetic antibodies - tixagevimab and cilgavimab. It is given as two intramuscular injections.

"The product is only authorised for those individuals who are not currently infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus and who have not recently been exposed to an individual infected with SARS-CoV-2," read the statement issued by FDA.&nbsp;

It can only be used if the person has required prerequisites, including moderate to severely compromised immune systems because of a particular medical condition. Also, when there is a history of severe adverse reactions to a Covid vaccine.&nbsp;

The authorisation came after a clinical trial under which 3,500 people were given the drug while 1,700 received a placebo. It was then concluded that the treatment cut the risk of developing Covid by 77 per cent.&nbsp;

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Patrizia Cavazzoni, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, in a press release by FDA, said, “Vaccines have proven to be the best ddefence available against COVID-19. However, there are certain immune-compromised individuals who may not mount an adequate immune response to COVID-19 vaccination, or those who have a history of severe adverse reactions to a COVID-19 vaccine and therefore cannot receive one and need an alternative prevention option."

This is the first time that the FDA has given emergency authorisation for purely preventative treatment.&nbsp;

Side effects of Evusheld range from hypersensitivity reactions, bleeding at the injection site, headache, fatigue and cough.

Few trial participants also suffered from serious cardiac adverse events after receiving Evusheld. All of these participants had risk factors for cardiac disease or a history of cardiovascular disease before participating in the clinical trial.&nbsp;However, it is not yet clear if Evusheld caused these.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The US Food and Drug Administration has now issued an emergency use authorisation for AstraZeneca's Evusheld to prevent people from the deadly coronavirus. Evusheld comprises two types of synthetic antibodies - tixagevimab and cilgavimab.

The US Food and Drug Administration has now issued an emergency use authorisation for AstraZeneca's Evusheld to prevent people from the deadly coronavirus. Evusheld comprises two types of synthetic antibodies - tixagevimab and cilgavimab. It is given as two intramuscular injections. "The product is only authorised for those individuals who are not currently infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus and who have not recently been exposed to an individual infected with SARS-CoV-2," read the statement issued by FDA. It can only be used if the person has required prerequisites, including moderate to severely compromised immune systems because of a particular medical condition. Also, when there is a history of severe adverse reactions to a Covid vaccine. The authorisation came after a clinical trial under which 3,500 people were given the drug while 1,700 received a placebo. It was then concluded that the treatment cut the risk of developing Covid by 77 per cent. Also read | Biden threatens Russia with 'severe sanctions' if Ukraine is attacked; US troops not to be involved Patrizia Cavazzoni, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, in a press release by FDA, said, “Vaccines have proven to be the best ddefence available against COVID-19. However, there are certain immune-compromised individuals who may not mount an adequate immune response to COVID-19 vaccination, or those who have a history of severe adverse reactions to a COVID-19 vaccine and therefore cannot receive one and need an alternative prevention option." This is the first time that the FDA has given emergency authorisation for purely preventative treatment. Side effects of Evusheld range from hypersensitivity reactions, bleeding at the injection site, headache, fatigue and cough. Few trial participants also suffered from serious cardiac adverse events after receiving Evusheld. All of these participants had risk factors for cardiac disease or a history of cardiovascular disease before participating in the clinical trial. However, it is not yet clear if Evusheld caused these. (With inputs from agencies)

Covid: In a first, FDA authorises AstraZeneca's Evusheld as a purely preventative treatment

A new study has shown that AstraZeneca's Evusheld therapy provides protection against COVID-19 for at least six months.

The antibody cocktail produced by the British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company offers 83 per cent protection against the novel virus.

Made from a combination of two antibodies, the AZD7442 treatment had been undergoing final clinical trials to assess its safety and efficacy.

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In an earlier readout of the late-stage PROVENT trial in August, had previously been shown to confer 77 per cent protection against symptomatic illness after three months.

The data is encouraging as potential additional protection for people who do not respond well to vaccines, such as cancer patients.

According to AstraZeneca Executive Vice President Mene Pangalos,&nbsp;"These new data add to the growing body of evidence supporting AZD7442's potential ... We are progressing regulatory filings around the world and look forward to providing an important new option against SARS-CoV-2 as quickly as possible."&nbsp;

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It comes after Chief executive Pascal Soriot had revealed that the drugs company got positive results from a trial of a treatment for Covid-19 symptoms, which is being produced alongside its vaccine.

The pharmaceutical giant has sold its vaccine at cost during the pandemic in contrast to rivals including US giant Pfizer.

In India, AstraZeneca's shot is sold under a licensed version called Covishield. It is made by the Serum Institute of India (SII), the world's biggest vaccine maker.

It accounts for nearly 90 per cent of the 1.24 billion doses administered in India.

(With inputs from agencies)

A new study has shown that AstraZeneca's Evusheld therapy provides protection against COVID-19 for at least six months. The antibody cocktail produced by the British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company offers 83 per cent protection against the novel virus.

A new study has shown that AstraZeneca's Evusheld therapy provides protection against COVID-19 for at least six months. The antibody cocktail produced by the British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company offers 83 per cent protection against the novel virus. Made from a combination of two antibodies, the AZD7442 treatment had been undergoing final clinical trials to assess its safety and efficacy. Also read | Pfizer strikes USD 5.3 billion deal to sell 10 million COVID treatments in US In an earlier readout of the late-stage PROVENT trial in August, had previously been shown to confer 77 per cent protection against symptomatic illness after three months. The data is encouraging as potential additional protection for people who do not respond well to vaccines, such as cancer patients. According to AstraZeneca Executive Vice President Mene Pangalos, "These new data add to the growing body of evidence supporting AZD7442's potential ... We are progressing regulatory filings around the world and look forward to providing an important new option against SARS-CoV-2 as quickly as possible." Also read | Drug overdoses killed a record 100,000 in US during COVID-19 pandemic It comes after Chief executive Pascal Soriot had revealed that the drugs company got positive results from a trial of a treatment for Covid-19 symptoms, which is being produced alongside its vaccine. The pharmaceutical giant has sold its vaccine at cost during the pandemic in contrast to rivals including US giant Pfizer. In India, AstraZeneca's shot is sold under a licensed version called Covishield. It is made by the Serum Institute of India (SII), the world's biggest vaccine maker. It accounts for nearly 90 per cent of the 1.24 billion doses administered in India. (With inputs from agencies)

AstraZeneca's Evusheld therapy provides protection against COVID-19 for at least 6 months