The University College London Hospitals NHS Trust (UCLH) said researchers in the Storm Chase study believe that a long-acting active antibody (LAAB) known as AZD7442, developed by AstraZeneca, can offer immediate and long-term protection to people who have been exposed recently. to the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and prevent them from developing COVID-19.
The study, led by UCLH virologist Dr. Catherine Houlihan, recruited the world’s first participant in the study earlier this month and has recruited 10 participants since then.
“We know that this combination of antibodies can neutralize the virus, so we hope to find that giving this treatment by injection can lead to immediate protection against the development of COVID-19 in people who have been exposed, when it would be too late to offer. -lo. a vaccine, ”Houlihan said.
UCLH said its new vaccine research center is conducting two clinical trials testing a combined LAAB treatment to protect against COVID-19.
The second Provent study examines the use of AZD7442 in people who may not respond to vaccination, for example, when someone has a compromised immune system or has an increased risk of COVID-19 infection due to factors such as the age and existing conditions.
“We will recruit people who are older or cared for in the long term and who have conditions such as cancer and HIV that may affect the ability of their immune system to respond to a vaccine.
“We want to reassure anyone for whom a vaccine may not work that we can offer an alternative that is just as protective,” said Dr. Nicky Longley, a UCLH infectious disease consultant who leads the Provent study. .
Antibodies are protein molecules that the body produces to help fight infections. Monoclonal antibodies are artificially produced in a laboratory and designed as possible medical treatments. They are designed to be injected directly into the body, unlike vaccines that “train” the immune system itself to produce antibodies.
“These two clinical trials are an important addition to testing new therapeutic approaches, as antibody treatments may offer an alternative to groups of patients who cannot benefit from a vaccine, such as immunocompromised patients,” he said. Professor Stephen Powis, Medical Director of the National Health Service. (NHS) England.
LAABs have been designed with AstraZeneca’s “proprietary” half-life extension technology to increase the durability of therapy for six to 12 months after a single administration. The combination of two LAABs is also designed to reduce the risk of resistance developed by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19.
“AZD7442 has the potential to be an important preventive and therapeutic drug against COVID-19, focused on the most vulnerable patients. This work complements our vaccine development program, ”said Mene Pangalos, AztraZeneca’s executive vice president for pharmaceutical research and development.
“Storm Chaser is exploring the use of a combination of monoclonal antibodies administered intramuscularly in those who have been exposed to SARS-CoV-2, an environment where vaccination would not have time to work and so far we have no other therapies tested. This makes Storm Chaser an important study that could have a big impact on our ability to control this infection, “said Professor Andrew Ustianowski, who is the lead researcher on the new studies.
UCLH said that in both Provent and Storm Chaser, researchers will evaluate whether treatment reduces the risk of developing COVID-19 and / or reduces the severity of the infection compared to placebo.
The main participating groups in the Storm Chaser trial will include health workers, students living in group housing, and patients who are exposed to anyone with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, as well as residents of long-term care facilities. term and industrial / military environments. .
Both trials are taking place at the newly created UCLH Vaccine Research Center, which opened this month to help accelerate the development of new vaccines and treatments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Both Storm Chaser and Provent are crucial in finding a solution to this pandemic,” said Professor Vincenzo Libri, who heads the UCLH Clinical Research Center with support from the UK’s National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). .
“The opening of our new vaccine research center will help drive our fight against the virus, fulfill our aspiration to save as many lives as possible and ensure a return to normalcy,” he said.
“Recent progress in vaccines is very welcome and the development of these additional treatments will be vital to ensure that everyone in society can offer protection against COVID-19,” said Professor Marcel Levi, chief executive of UCLH .
This story has been published from a wireless agency channel without text modifications.