AstraZeneca has recently released the results from a phase III clinical trial suggesting that its new COVID-19 treatment - AZD7442 - is effective in reducing severe disease or death in non-hospitalized patients.

The treatment is a combination of two monoclonal antibodies, tixagevimab and cilgavimab, which have been designed to decrease the severity of COVID-19 infection. Both the antibodies bind to different parts of the virus’ spike proteins. These monoclonal antibodies included in the cocktail are based on antibodies obtained from patients who recovered from COVID-19.  

The study evaluated 822 subjects above the age of 18 years. Out of 407 individuals who received the antibody treatment, 18 developed severe COVID-19 or died, compared to 37 among the 415 individuals given a placebo… (ET Healthworld – PTI, October 23, 2021)