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UK Trial Drug Could Give Instant Immunity Against COVID-19
As part of the concerted efforts to curb the spread of the virulent infection, Scientists in the United Kingdom have started trials of an antibody drug combination that could protect people who have been exposed to COVID-19 from developing complications.
Ekohotblog gathered that the antibody therapy, which could be administered as quick treatment to patients, care home residents and university students, is expected to give immediate Immunity against COVID-19..
According to The UK Guardian, the antibody will also help in curtailing spread of the virus as people who reside with someone who has been exposed to the virus or has tested positive for the disease could also be injected with the drug to shield them from infection.
The antibody, known as AZD7442, was developed by scientists from the University College London Hospitals NHS (UCLH) and AstraZeneca, a UK-Swedish drug firm, that created a vaccine with Oxford University — the vaccine is currently awaiting the approval of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
So far, as part of the fresh trial tagged Storm Chaser, ten people — students and medical staff — have been injected with the drug.
The participants reportedly received two consecutive doses of the drug after the study entered its phase three trial on December 2.
The scientists hope the treatment would provide protection against COVID-19 for six months to a year.
The scientist leading the Storm Chaser trial, Catherine Houlihan, said the treatment would be an “exciting addition” to efforts being efforts being made to tackle the disease.
Read Also: COVID-19: NCDC Confirms 829 New Cases, One Death
On his part, Paul Hunter, a professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia who specialises in infectious diseases, said the new treatment in the Storm Chaser trial could reduce the number of COVID-19 fatalities.
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