Dosing Begins in Phase 1 Study of AstraZeneca’s Antibody Combination for COVID-19

AstraZeneca announced that the first subjects have been dosed in a phase 1 study of AZD7442, a combination of two monoclonal antibodies under development for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Mene Pangalos, executive vice president of biopharmaceuticals R&D, said “this combination of antibodies, coupled to our proprietary half-life extension technology, has the potential to improve both the effectiveness and durability of use in addition to reducing the likelihood of viral resistance.”

The trial will evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of AZD7442 in up to 48 healthy participants in the UK aged 18 to 55 years, with results expected later this year. Specifically, AZD7442 is a combination of two monoclonal antibodies, derived from convalescent patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, which AstraZeneca suggested should afford at least 6 months of protection from COVID-19. The drugmaker licensed the monoclonal antibodies from Vanderbilt University Medical Center in June.

According to AstraZeneca, findings recently published in the journal Nature suggest that the monoclonal antibodies blocked the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to bind to host cells and protected against infection in cell and animal models of disease.