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British scientists are testing a new drug that could prevent those who contracted the coronavirus from developing covid-19, a disease caused by the virus. The drug, known as AZD7442, would involve a combination of long-acting antibodies.
The news was published by the British newspaper The Guardian. The report is in English.
Instead of antibodies made by the body to fight infection, the drug uses monoclonal antibodies made in the laboratory. It could provide instant immunity against disease. It could be given as an emergency treatment to contain outbreaks of the disease in hospitals and nursing homes, for example.
Still, it would be a way to contain the number of deaths and complications caused by covid-19 while there are no vaccines to immunize the entire population.
The drug developer is AstraZeneca, the same company that investigates the coronavirus vaccine bought by the Brazilian federal government. They also participate in the UCLH project (University College London Hospitals, in free translation).
Documents about the clinical trial sent to the US, says The Guardian, show that you are investigated “The efficacy of AZD7442 for post-exposure prophylaxis of covid-19 in adults”. This treatment prevents the virus from attaching itself to human cells.
“The spore protein of Sars-CoV-2 contains the RBD (receptor-binding domain) of the virus, which allows the virus to bind to receptors on human cells. By targeting this region of the virus spore protein, the antibodies can prevent the virus from attaching to human cells and thus could block infection. “, details the document.
If proven effective, the drug should be taken until the eighth day of exposure to the coronavirus. It would help prevent the development of the disease for up to 12 months. The trial participants have received two doses of the drug. The studies were called “Storm Chaser” (Storm Chaser, in free translation).
It would be possible to have the drug by March or April 2021, if approved by drug regulatory agencies after they have reviewed the studies. The tests are conducted at UCLH, other British hospitals and a network of 100 other locations around the world.
UCLH is still doing a parallel trial with the same drug. The idea is to find out if the drug protects people with a compromised immune system, as is the case with chemotherapy. This study was called “Provent”. Both this and the Storm chaser They are in phase 3, the last drug test.
The 2 trials are carried out at UCLH’s new vaccine research center, funded by the research arm of the NHS (National Health Service, equivalent to SUS not UK).
In Brazil alone, the coronavirus has already killed at least 190,488, according to the Ministry of Health. In addition to the number of people who lose their lives, the virus also causes damage to the world economy.
The most effective ways to contain the proliferation of known coronaviruses involve social isolation, which prevents work in various sectors of the economy.
Mass vaccination of the population is expected in 2021, which has already started in some countries. Look for PowerData showed that fewer and fewer Brazilians want to be vaccinated against covid-19.
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