AstraZeneca Initiates Phase I Trial of Monoclonal Antibody Combination for COVID-19

According to an Aug. 25, 2020 press release, AstraZeneca has dosed the first participants in its Phase I clinical trial assessing the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of a combination of two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

AZD7442 is a combination of two mAbs that have been derived from patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The trial is expected to include up to 48 healthy participants in the United Kingdom, who will be aged between 18 and 55 years.

“This trial is an important milestone in the development of our monoclonal antibody combination to prevent or treat COVID-19,” said Mene Pangalos, executive vice-president, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, in the press release. “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.”

Source: AstraZeneca