LONDON, Nov 26 (Reuters) - AstraZeneca said on
Friday it was hopeful its antibody cocktail against COVID-19
would retain efficacy against a new variant that is spreading in
South Africa, and was also examining whether the variant was
resistant to its vaccine.
"As with any new emerging variants, we are looking into
B.1.1.529 to understand more about it and the impact on the
vaccine," AstraZeneca said in a statement, adding it was
conducting research in Botswana and Eswatini to collect data.
"We are also testing our long-acting antibody combination
AZD7442 against this new variant and are hopeful AZD7442 will
retain efficacy since it comprises two potent antibodies with
different and complementary activities against the virus."
(Reporting by Alistair Smout; Editing by Kevin Liffey)