(Alliance News) - AstraZeneca PLC on Thursday reported new clinical data from an ongoing safety and immunogenicity trial for its Covid-19 vaccine Vaxzevria, which showed an increased antibody response to the Omicron variant when administered as a third dose.
In the trial, the Anglo-Swedish drugmaker said that when administered as a third dose, Vaxzveria increased the immune response to the Beta, Delta, Alpha and Gamma variants of Covid-19, while a separate analysis of samples from trial demonstrated an increased antibody response to Omicron.
In December, AstraZeneca said that data from a laboratory study showed that neutralisation titres for Omicron were raised following a third dose with Vaxzevria, compared to titres after a second dose.
"Vaxzevria has protected hundreds of millions of people from Covid-19 around the world and these data show that it has an important role to play as a third dose booster, including when used after other vaccines. Given the ongoing urgency of the pandemic and Vaxzevria's increased immune response to the Omicron variant, we will continue to progress regulatory submissions around the world for its use as a third dose booster," said Mene Pangalos, executive vice president of BioPharmaceuticals R&D.
Also on Thursday, Astra entered a collaboration agreement with Boston, Massachusetts-based Scorpion Therapeutics to discover and developer precision medicines against hard-to-target cancer proteins.
Under the deal's terms, Scorpion will take the lead on discovery and preclinical activities, for which Astra has the exclusive option to licence worldwide rights for up to three drug candidates. Meanwhile, Astra will take responsibility for development and commercialisation.
Scorpion will receive an upfront cash payment of USD75 million, and will remain eligible to gain additional payments based on success, in the form of option fees and milestone payments, as well as royalties on net sales.
Shares in AstraZeneca were up 0.1% at 8,489.00 pence on Thursday in London.
By Dayo Laniyan; dayolaniyan@alliancenews.com
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