(HealthDay News) — A new monoclonal antibody (mAb) intended to be used as pre-exposure prophylaxis for COVID-19 could be available by the end of the year, according to AstraZeneca.
The mAb, AZD3152, was derived from B cells donated by patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection. It was designed to target all historical and currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants.
“In vitro studies demonstrated that AZD3152 neutralizes all COVID-19 variants, including Arcturus [XBB.1.16], the latest variant of concern,” Mene Pangalos, executive vice president of biopharmaceuticals at AstraZeneca, told investors on an earnings call.
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AZD3152 is under investigation in the phase 1/3 SUPERNOVA trial, which was designed to evaluate the safety and neutralizing activity of AZD3152 compared with Evusheld (tixagevimab/cilgavimab) as pre-exposure prophylaxis in patients with immune impairment.
Results from the SUPERNOVA trial could be available by September, CBS News reported. Positive results could lead to an emergency use authorization for AZD3152.
AZD3152 is intended to serve as a replacement for Evusheld, which is no longer authorized in the United States as it is ineffective against currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants.
