(Adds detail, background)
Nov 9 (Reuters) - AstraZeneca is creating a separate
division for vaccines and antibody therapies to be led by senior
executive Iskra Reic, the drugmaker said on Tuesday, as it
builds focus on its COVID-19 shot and development of coronavirus
treatments.
Reuters reported in July the Anglo-Swedish company was
exploring options for its vaccine business and expected to have
greater clarity on the matter by the end of 2021.
The new unit will combine research and development,
manufacturing, commercial and medical teams, a spokesperson
said.
"The team will be dedicated to our COVID-19 vaccine, our
long-acting antibody combination and our developmental vaccine
addressing multiple variants of concern, as well as to our
existing portfolio for respiratory viral disease," he said.
The news was first reported by the Financial Times.
(Reporting by Pushkala Aripaka in Bengaluru
Writing by Josephine Mason Editing by Anil D'Silva and Mark
Potter)