AstraZeneca’s antibiotic is close to authorization in Europe

Plus: NYC lifting vaccine requirements for athletes and performers

The European Medicines Agency’s human medicines committee has recommended that AstraZeneca’s Covid antibody treatment Evusheld be authorized on that continent for use as a preventative measure. The recommendation is based on findings from clinical data showing that the treatment, which was authorized in the U.S. in December, reduced risk of Covid infection 77% compared to placebo, with protection enduring at least six months. This type of prophylactic antibody treatment is important for people who either can’t be vaccinated due to allergic reaction or other reason; or for immunocompromised patients for whom vaccines don’t necessarily elicit an immune response.  “Evusheld has the potential to provide long-lasting protection to vulnerable populations such as the immunocompromised who can’t mount an adequate response to a COVID-19 vaccine,” AstraZeneca executive Mene Pangalos said in a statement about the decision. “And we’ll continue to work with governments in Europe to make Evusheld available as quickly as possible.”

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