COVID-19: AstraZeneca requests emergency authoritisation in US or drug that reduces risk of developing coronavirus symptoms by 77%

AstraZeneca has requested US authorisation for emergency use of its new treatment to prevent COVID-19 in people who have a lessened response to vaccines because of a weakened immune system. The drugmaker included data in its filing with the Food and Drug Administration from a late-stage trial showing the jab reduced the risk of people developing any coronavirus symptoms by 77%. The antibody therapy, called AZD7442, could be used to protect people who do not have a strong enough immune response to COVID vaccines, or as a booster for those such as military personnel, AstraZeneca said.