AstraZeneca announces positive results from the trial treatment of COVID-19 symptoms

AstraZeneca announces positive results from the trial treatment of COVID-19 symptoms
(Source: Unsplash.com)

Here’s some promising good news: British-Swedish drug firm AstraZeneca recently announced positive results from a trial of a treatment for COVID-19 symptoms. As per PhilStarLife.com, their drug, which is made up of two antibodies, was first developed as a treatment for people who have already been exposed to the COVID-19 disease. 

The latest trial involved 5,197 participants who have yet to be exposed to the disease, and they showed a 77% reduced risk of developing the symptomatic disease with no severe cases, the company said in a statement. A previous trial of the AZD7442 drug had shown a reduction of risks of only 33%.

Basically, their research shows that a single dose could “quickly and effectively prevent symptomatic COVID-19,” said principal trial investigator Myron Levin. “With these exciting results, AZD7442 could be an important tool in our arsenal to help people who may need more than a vaccine to return to their normal lives.”

The company aspires to use the drug alongside vaccines for those who need more protection, affording up to 12 months of defense. Participants in the clinical trial were poor responders or intolerant to vaccines, or who had an increased risk of infection because of their locations or circumstances.

As per MedCity News, in addition to the clinical trial data in COVID-19 prevention, the company said that preliminary lab test results from Oxford University and Columbia University found that the drug neutralizes variants of SARS-CoV-2, including the Delta strain. In turn, AstraZeneca said it will submit full results from the PROVEN clinical trial for publication in a peer-reviewed medical journal; they will also be presented at an upcoming medical meeting.

Given the surge of cases and ongoing rampage of the Delta variant around the world, this development sparks some much-needed hope. Let’s hope the drug gets rolled out across the globe sooner than later.

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