UK's AstraZeneca begins phase one human trial of antibody treatment for COVID-19

UK pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has started phase one clinical trial of antibody-based cocktail for prevention and treatment of COVID-19 on Tuesday, August 25. In a statement, British drugmaker said that first participants have been injected with doses of AZD7442 which is a combination of two moclonal antibodies (mAbs) to treat disease caused by SARS-CoV-19. This comes after AstraZeneca-developed COVID-19 vaccine candidate showed promising results and is alrey planning human trials on a larger scale. 

London-based firm has emerged as one of leing players in global hunt for COVID-19 vaccine and a viable treatment to cure disease. phase one trial dubbed as, NCT04507256 is aimed at evaluating safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of AZD7442 and Brutish drugmaker has touted it as a potential treatment for people exposed to vel coronavirus.

This trial has at least 48 participants in UK between group of 18 to 55 years and is funded by Defense vanced Research Projects ncy (DARPA), part of US Department of Defense, and Biomedical vanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of Office of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at US Department of Health and Human Services.

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AstraZeneca said, “ first participants have been dosed in a Phase I trial of AZD7442, a combination of two moclonal antibodies (mAbs) in development for prevention and treatment of COVID-19.”

"Synsised in laboratory, mAbs aim to mimic natural antibodies. treatment has potential to be given as a preventative option for people exposed to virus, and to treat and prevent disease progression in patients alrey infected by virus," it ded.

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US approves convalescent plasma treatment for COVID-19

While UK's AstraZeneca is eying antibodies in blood to cure disease that has alrey infected millions across globe, US President Donald Trump anunced on Monday, August 24 that Food and Drug ministration (FDA) has approved emergency use of convalescent plasma treatment for COVID-19. Calling it a ‘truly historic’ anuncement that would ramp up America’s battle with ‘China Virus’, Trump said it was only possible because of government’s Operation Warp Speed programme. 

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