Benzinga | Nov 18, 2021 07:24AM EST

AstraZeneca's COVID-19 Antibody Shows 83% Protection Over Six Months

* AstraZeneca Plc (NASDAQ:AZN) has shared new data from two Phase 3 trials of AZD7442, its long-acting antibody (LAAB) combination, in COVID-19 patients.

* In an analysis of the ongoing PROVENT trial evaluating a median of six months of participant follow-up, one 300mg intramuscular (IM) dose of AZD7442 reduced the risk of developing symptomatic COVID-19 by 83% compared to placebo.

* The Company also said a separate study in patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 showed a higher dose of AZD7442 cut the risk of symptoms worsening by 88% when given within three days of first symptoms.

* The injected therapy, called AZD7442 or Evusheld, had previously been shown to confer 77% protection against symptomatic illness after three months in an earlier readout of the late-stage PROVENT trial in August.

* The latest results from longer-term follow-ups potentially position AstraZeneca, like rival Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE), as a future supplier of both COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.

* Related Link: AstraZeneca Seeks Emergency Use Nod For COVID-19 Drug To Prevent Infection.

* AZD7442 combines two LAABs, tixagevimab (AZD8895) and cilgavimab (AZD1061), derived from B-cells donated by convalescent patients after the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

* Price Action: AZN shares are down 1.02% at $57.14 during the premarket session on the last check Thursday.