Canada approves AstraZeneca's antibody cocktail Evusheld for COVID-19 prevention
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Canada on Thursday approved AstraZeneca's (NASDAQ:AZN) antibody-based cocktail Evusheld for the prevention of COVID-19 in immune compromised adults and children.
AZN's Evusheld is a combination of 2 long-acting monoclonal antibodies tixagevimab and cilgavimab.
The drug has been approved for use in adults and children who are immune compromised and unlikely to mount an adequate immune response to COVID-19 vaccination or for whom COVID-19 vaccination is not recommended, Health Canada said in a statement.
AZN will be required to continue to provide information to Health Canada on the safety and efficacy of Evusheld, including protection against current and emerging variants of concern.
COVID-19 cases have been increasing again in Canada, with the country reporting 41,698 new cases in the week to April 2, a 29% increase over the previous week.