Multinational pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has launched a COVID-19 antibody drug that aims to provide protection from infection for up to six months, particularly for people with medical vulnerabilities pertaining to their immune systems.
The 'Evushield' medication works by using a combination of antibodies which can be delivered by injection, and which were sourced by scientists over at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
The recent recipient of official authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), this COVID-19 antibody drug is not considered an alternative to vaccination, but rather is designed to offer an extra layer of protection for people whose health conditions might hamper the strength of their immune response. The efficacy of the drug against the Omicron variant is currently being studied, with AstraZeneca hinting that it is optimistic that the 'Evushield' medication will demonstrate effectiveness.
Image Credit: AstraZeneca
Why This Trend Is Growing
- COVID-19 Antibody Medications
- Opportunity to develop similar antibody drugs for the prevention and treatment of other viral diseases.
- Personalized Immunotherapy
- Opportunity to create personalized immunotherapy based on genetic and immune system profiling.
- Telemedicine Platforms
- Opportunity to integrate telemedicine platforms into the distribution and delivery of antibody drugs and other pharmaceuticals.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Pharmaceuticals
- Opportunity to develop and commercialize antibody drugs for the prevention and treatment of viral diseases such as Zika, Ebola, and influenza.
- Healthcare
- Opportunity to integrate personalized immunotherapy and telemedicine technologies into patient care for more effective disease prevention and management.
- Biotechnology
- Opportunity to use genetic and immune system profiling technologies for the development of personalized immunotherapy and drug discovery.
