FIRST in vivo data from Washington University show AZD7442 reduces viral burden of all tested Omicron subvariants in the lungs.
New preclinical authentic ‘live’ virus data from Washington University School of Medicine demonstrated that AZD7442 (tixagevimab co-packaged with cilgavimab) retains potent neutralising activity against the emerging and highly transmissible Omicron SARS-CoV-2 BA.2 subvariant.1 The data also showed that AZD7442 retains activity against Omicron BA.1 and BA.1.1.1
In addition, in vivo (live organism) data generated using mice infected with Omicron BA.1, BA.1.1 and BA.2 demonstrated that AZD7442 significantly reduced the viral burden and limited inflammation in the lungs for all three subvariants.1 SARS-CoV-2 viral load is associated with increased disease severity and mortality as well as post-COVID conditions (long COVID).
The study used a transgenic mouse model to evaluate AZD7442 in pre-exposure prophylaxis (prevention) of COVID-19, similar to how AZD7442 is used in the clinic. These are the first in vivo data evaluating efficacy of AZD7442 against the Omicron variants versus previous in vitro neutralising activity assays in cultured cells.
Additional ‘live’ virus data from Aix-Marseilles University and pseudovirus data from the US Food and Drug Administration also demonstrated that AZD7442 neutralises BA.2.4,5 According to the World Health Organization, cases of BA.2 have been identified in 85 countries to date, with prevalence increasing in several parts of the world.6
AZD7442 is authorized for pre-exposure prophylaxis (prevention) of COVID-19 in the US and several other countries. AZD7442 is intended for vulnerable populations who have a medical condition or are receiving immunosuppressive medications or treatments and may not mount an adequate immune response to COVID-19 vaccination, as well as those individuals for whom COVID-19 vaccination is not recommended. AZD7442 is not yet approved in the Philippines. (PNA)
