U.S. signs agreement with AstraZeneca to develop, supply COVID-19 antibody treatment

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

HEALTHCARE & PHARMACEUTICALS
OCTOBER 9, 2020 4:51 PM UPDATED 2 HOURS AGO

U.S. signs agreement with AstraZeneca to develop, supply COVID-19 antibody treatment

(Reuters) - The U.S. government on Friday signed an agreement with AstraZeneca Plc AZN.L worth $486 million to develop and secure supplies of up to 100,000 doses of COVID-19 antibody treatment, a similar class of drugs that was used to treat President Donald Trump.

The U.S. health agency will provide the funding to AstraZeneca for two Phase 3 clinical trials under operation Warp Speed, which is aimed at speeding up treatments and vaccines for COVID-19.

One trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of the experimental treatment to prevent infection for up to 12 months, in about 5,000 participants, while the second trial will evaluate post-exposure preventative and pre-emptive treatment in roughly 1,100 participants.

AstraZeneca said it plans to supply up to 100,000 doses starting towards the end of 2020 and the US Government can acquire up to an additional one million doses in 2021 under a separate agreement.

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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-astrazeneca/u-s-signs-agreement-with-astrazeneca-to-develop-supply-covid-19-antibody-treatment-idUSKBN26U2HQ

[NoRoadUntravelled]

1. Hopefully the drug will be affordable for all since tax dollars are funding the development

and production. Although, one million doses isn't all that many.

[Backseat Driver]

2. Avoidance and prevention by current recommendations of

masking and social distancing still seems the preferable option. If you get it, at least there may be options for early therapy to perhaps participate in Phase 3 trials...SMH.