Long-Acting Antibody Combo Retains Neutralizing Activity Against Omicron

Delaware-based AstraZeneca U.S. announced today Evusheld, a long-acting antibody combination to prevent COVID-19, retains neutralization activity against the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant (B.1.1.529).

According to new authentic 'live' virus neutralization data from both University College Oxford, U.K. and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, US, Evusheld's Inhibitory Concentration 50 measure was 273 ng/ml and 147 ng/ml in these studies, respectively.

The levels are within the range of neutralizing antibody titers found in individuals who have been previously infected with and recovered naturally from COVID-19.

Evusheld is one of only two antibody therapies authorized for use that showed neutralizing activity against Omicron and all other variants of concern in these two studies.

These findings align with pseudovirus neutralizing data from independent investigators at the U.S. FDA announced on December 16, 2021.

Mene Pangalos, EVP, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, said in a press release issued on December 23, 2021, "Consistent data across three independent studies now provide confidence that Evusheld, a combination of two highly potent antibodies, retains neutralizing activity against the Omicron variant at a level that will continue to provide benefit to patients."

"Evusheld is the only antibody therapy authorized for pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 in the U.S."

"We're excited that Evusheld is now available to help protect vulnerable populations, such as the immunocompromised, who are unable to mount an adequate response to vaccination and who remain at high-risk for COVID-19."

Evusheld is also authorized for emergency use to prevent COVID-19 in several other countries, such as Bahrain and Abu Dhabi.

By combining two particularly potent antibodies with different and complementary activities against the coronavirus, Evusheld was designed to evade potential resistance with the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants.

About 2% of the global population is considered at increased risk of an inadequate response to a COVID-19 vaccine.

The Company continues to collect further data to better understand the implications of these data in clinical practice.