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.

AZD7442 differs from vaccines, which rely on the immune system to develop targeted antibodies and infection-fighting cells, by containing lab-made antibodies which are designed to stay in the body for months to contain the virus if a person becomes infected.

According to the ZOE COVID Symptom Study, which is funded by the UK government, the top five symptoms of coronavirus in those who are fully vaccinated are: headache, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat and loss of smell.

Symptoms in those who are unvaccinated are: headache, sore throat, runny nose, fever and persistent cough.

Trial results for the therapy, which were first published in August, were taken three months after it was injected.

COVID-19: UK records 35,077 new cases and 33 more coronavirus-related deaths, daily figures show

COVID-19: England to make decision on Ashes tour of Australia this week

COVID-19: Amber list and UK’s traffic light system for international travel scrapped as rules simplified

Follow the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

The company hopes it can promote the jab as providing year-long protection, as trial investigators will follow up with participants as far out as 15 months.

Mene Pangalos, executive vice president at AstraZeneca’s BioPharmaceuticals R&D, said: “Vulnerable populations such as the immunocompromised often aren’t able to mount a protective response following vaccination and continue to be at risk of developing COVID-19.

“With this first global regulatory filing, we are one step closer to providing an additional option to help protect against COVID-19 alongside vaccines.

“We look forward to sharing AZD7442 data for the treatment of COVID-19 later this year.”

AZD7442 is based on two antibodies discovered by the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in the US.

AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine – which is used in the UK – is yet to be approved by US authorities. In July, the company said it expected to seek US approval for the vaccine in the second half of this year.

Related posts:

Biden sets out his green vision for America, but weaning the US off fossil fuel will be hard Six from same Dallas family found dead after online murder-suicide pact Tiger Woods driving at ‘excessive speed’ at time of serious car crash, police say ‘Let the folk see what happened’: Call for video of fatal police shooting in North Carolina Meghan writes children’s book inspired by Harry and Archie Scientist who helped invent Post-It Notes dies aged 80 Ten people dead after overloaded van crashes in Texas ‘Vaccine lottery’ offering millions in cash prizes ensured 82,000 got COVID jab, says economist Broken pipeline found by divers in search for Gulf oil spill ‘We will never forget you’: America marks 20 years since 9/11 terror attacks Police move in on truckers protesting at US-Canada border after injunction issued Standoff between police and truckers protesting at US-Canada border continues after more than seven hours