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Researchers in the UK have started trials of innovative antibody drug treatments that they hope could offer instant protection against COVID-19.
The University College London Hospitals NHS Trust (UCLH) stated that the researchers at the Storm Chase study believe a Long Acting AntiBody (LAAB) known as AZD7442, developed by AstraZeneca, may provide immediate and long-term protection to individuals who have been exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and stop them growing COVID-19.
The study, led by UCLH virologist Dr Catherine Houlihan, recruited the first participant in the world to the analysis earlier this month and has recruited 10 participants since then.
“We know that this antibody combination can neutralise the virus, so we hope to get that giving this treatment via injection may result in immediate protection against the progression of COVID-19 in those who have been subjected — when it would be too late to offer a vaccine,” said Houlihan.
UCLH said its new vaccine study centre is conducting two clinical trials testing a LAAB combination treatment to protect against COVID-19.
The next Provent study is looking at the use of AZD7442 in people who might not respond to vaccination, for example where somebody has a compromised immune system or are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection due to factors such as age and present conditions.
“We will be recruiting individuals who are elderly or in long-term maintenance, and who have conditions such as cancer and HIV which may influence the ability of their immune system to react to a vaccine.
“We want to reassure anyone for whom a vaccine may not work that we can offer an alternative that’s equally as protective,” said Dr Nicky Longley, UCLH infectious diseases consultant leading the Provent research.
Antibodies are protein molecules that the body produces to help fight infections. Monoclonal antibodies are produced in a lab and designed as potential medical treatments. They’re designed to be injected directly into the body, unlike vaccines which”train” the immune system itself to create antibodies.
“These two clinical trials are an important addition to testing new therapeutic approaches, as antibody treatments may provide an alternative to patient groups who cannot take advantage of a vaccine, such as immunocompromised patients,” said Professor Stephen Powis, the medical director of National Health Service (NHS) England.
The LAABs were designed with AstraZeneca’s”proprietary” half-life expansion technology to increase the durability of the treatment for six to 12 months after a single administration. The mixture of two LAABs is also designed to decrease the possibility of resistance developed by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which induces COVID-19.
“AZD7442 has the capacity to be an important preventative and curative medicine against COVID-19, focusing on the most vulnerable individuals. This work complements our vaccine development programme,” explained Mene Pangalos, AztraZeneca Executive Vice-President for BioPharmaceuticals Research and Development.
“Storm Chaser is exploring using a combination of monoclonal antibodies given intramuscularly in people who have been subjected to SARS-CoV-2 — a setting where vaccination would not have time to work and we have no other proven therapies to date. This makes Storm Chaser an important research that may have a large impact on our ability to control this disease,” noted Professor Andrew Ustianowski, who’s the chief researcher of the new studies.
UCLH said that in both Provent and Storm Chaser, researchers will evaluate whether the treatment reduces the risk of creating COVID-19 and/or reduces the severity of infection in comparison to placebo.
Key participant groups in the Storm Chaser trial includes healthcare workers, students who reside in group lodging, and patients who are exposed to anyone with the SARS-CoV-2 virus in addition to residents of long-term care facilities and industrial/military settings.
Both trials are happening at the newly-created Vaccine Research Centre at UCLH, which opened this month to help accelerate the development of new vaccines and treatments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Both Storm Chaser and Provent are critical for a solution to this outbreak,” said Professor Vincenzo Libri, who directs the UCLH Clinical Research Facility endorsed by the UK’s National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).
“The opening of our new Vaccine Research Centre helps to propel our battle against the virus, meet our aspiration to save as many lives as possible, and ensure a return to normality,” he said.
“The recent progress on vaccines is hugely welcome, and growing such additional treatments will be crucial to guarantee everyone in society could be provided protection against COVID-19,” Professor Marcel Levi, UCLH Chief Executive, said.
