AstraZeneca Begins Human Trials of COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody

AstraZeneca has dosed the first participants in a phase 1 trial of its investigational monoclonal antibody product AZD7442 for preventing and treating COVID-19.

The trial will evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of the treatment in up to 48 healthy participants ages 18 to 55 years old in the United Kingdom.

AZD7442 is a combination of two monoclonal antibodies that were derived from the plasma of recovered COVID-19 patients. They are two of six antibodies that the UK-based drugmaker licensed from Vanderbilt University in June (DID, June 10).

The UK trial is being funded by HHS’ Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority and the Department of Defense’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

In preclinical testing, the antibodies blocked the binding of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to host cells and protected against infection. — Jordan Williams