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Background AZD7442 is a combination of extended half-life, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)−specific neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (tixagevimab and cilgavimab). Methods This phase 1, first-in-human, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation study evaluated AZD7442 administered intramuscularly (300 mg) or intravenously (300, 1000, or 3000 mg) in healthy adults (aged 18–55 years). The primary end point was safety and tolerability. Secondary end points included pharmacokinetics and antidrug antibodies. Results Between 18 August and 16 October 2020, a total of 60 participants were enrolled; 50 received AZD7442, and 10 received placebo. Adverse events (all of mild or moderate intensity) occurred in 26 participants (52.0%) in the AZD7442 groups and 8 (80.0%) in the placebo group. No infusion or injection site or hypersensitivity reactions occurred. Tixagevimab and cilgavimab had mean half-lives of approximately 90 days (range, 87.0–95.3 days for tixagevimab and 79.8–-91.1 days for cilgavimab) and similar pharmacokinetic profiles over the 361-day study period. SARS-CoV-2–specific neutralizing antibody titers provided by AZD7442 were maintained above those in plasma from convalescent patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Conclusions AZD7442 was well tolerated in healthy adults, showing a favorable safety profile across all doses. Depending on the SARS-CoV-2 variant, pharmacokinetic analyses suggest the AZD7442 could offer protection for ≥6 months against symptomatic COVID-19 after a single 300-mg intramuscular administration. Clinical trials registration NCT04507256. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background This phase 3 trial assessed AZD7442 (tixagevimab/cilgavimab) for post-exposure prophylaxis against symptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods Adults without prior severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection or COVID-19 vaccination were enrolled within 8 days of exposure to a SARS-CoV-2–infected individual and randomized 2:1 to a single 300-mg AZD7442 dose (one 1.5-mL intramuscular injection each of tixagevimab and cilgavimab) or placebo. Primary end points were safety and first post-dose SARS-CoV-2 reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)–positive symptomatic COVID-19 event before day 183. Results A total of 1121 participants were randomized and dosed (AZD7442, n = 749; placebo, n = 372). Median (range) follow-up was 49 (5–115) and 48 (20–113) days for AZD7442 and placebo, respectively. Adverse events occurred in 162 of 749 (21.6%) and 111 of 372 (29.8%) participants with AZD7442 and placebo, respectively, mostly mild/moderate. RT-PCR–positive symptomatic COVID-19 occurred in 23 of 749 (3.1%) and 17 of 372 (4.6%) AZD7442- and placebo-treated participants, respectively (relative risk reduction, 33.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI], −25.9 to 64.7; P =.21). In predefined subgroup analyses of 1073 (96%) participants who were SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR–negative (n = 974, 87%) or missing an RT-PCR result (n = 99, 9%) at baseline, AZD7442 reduced RT-PCR–positive symptomatic COVID-19 by 73.2% (95% CI, 27.1 to 90.1) vs placebo. Conclusions This study did not meet the primary efficacy end point of post-exposure prevention of symptomatic COVID-19. However, analysis of participants who were SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR–negative or missing an RT-PCR result at baseline support a role for AZD7442 in preventing symptomatic COVID-19. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT04625972. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to elucidate the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic and pharmacodynamic/efficacy relationships of anifrolumab, a type I interferon receptor antibody, in patients with moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus. Data were pooled from the randomized, 52‐week, placebo‐controlled TULIP‐1 and TULIP‐2 trials of intravenous anifrolumab (150 mg/300 mg, every 4 weeks for 48 weeks). Pharmacodynamic neutralization was measured with a 21‐gene type I interferon gene signature (21‐IFNGS) in patients with high IFNGS. The pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationship was analyzed graphically and modeled with a nonlinear mixed‐effects model. British Isles Lupus Assessment Group–based Composite Lupus Assessment (BICLA) response rates were compared across 21‐IFNGS neutralization quartiles. Overall, 819 patients received ≥1 dose of anifrolumab or placebo, of whom 676 were IFNGS high. Over 52 weeks, higher average anifrolumab serum concentrations were associated with increased median 21‐IFNGS neutralization, which was rapid and sustained with anifrolumab 300 mg (>80%, weeks 12‐52), lower and delayed with anifrolumab 150 mg (>50%, week 52), and minimal with placebo. The proportion of patients with week 24 anifrolumab trough concentration exceeding the IC80 (3.88 μg/mL) was greater with anifrolumab 300 mg vs anifrolumab 150 mg (≈83% vs ≈27%), owing to the higher estimated median trough concentration (15.6 vs 0.2 μg/mL). BICLA response rates increased with 21‐IFNGS neutralization; more patients had a BICLA response in the highest vs lowest neutralization quartiles at week 52 (58.1% vs 37.6%). In conclusion, anifrolumab 300 mg every 4 weeks rapidly, substantially, and sustainably neutralized the 21‐IFNGS and was associated with clinical efficacy, supporting this dosing regimen in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To characterise the efficacy and safety of anifrolumab in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) according to interferon gene signature (IFNGS), demographic and clinical subgroups.Methods: We performed post hoc analyses of pooled data from the 52-week phase III TULIP-1/TULIP-2 placebo-controlled trials of intravenous anifrolumab in moderate-to-severe SLE. Outcomes were assessed in predefined subgroups: IFNGS (high/low), age, sex, body mass index, race, geographic region, age of onset, glucocorticoid use, disease activity and serological markers.Results: In pooled data, patients received anifrolumab 300 mg (360/726) or placebo (366/726); 82.6% were IFNGS-high. IFNGS-high patients had greater baseline disease activity and were more likely to have abnormal serological markers versus IFNGS-low patients. In the total population, a greater proportion of patients treated with anifrolumab versus placebo achieved British Isles Lupus Assessment Group-based Composite Lupus Assessment (BICLA) response at week 52 (difference 16.6%; nominal p<0.001). BICLA response treatment differences with anifrolumab versus placebo were comparable to the total population across most predefined subgroups, including subgroups for baseline glucocorticoid dosage (<10/≥10 mg/day prednisone/equivalent) and for clinical disease activity (SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 score <10/≥10). Subgroups with larger treatment differences included IFNGS-high patients (18.2%), patients with abnormal baseline serological markers (23.1%) and Asian patients (29.2%). The safety profile of anifrolumab was similar across subgroups.Conclusions: Overall, this study supports the consistent efficacy and safety of anifrolumab across a range of patients with moderate-to-severe SLE. In a few subgroups, small sample sizes limited conclusions from being drawn regarding the treatment benefit with anifrolumab.Trial Registration Number: NCT02446912, NCT02446899. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the success of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines, there remains a need for more prevention and treatment options for individuals remaining at risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the viral spike protein have potential to both prevent and treat COVID-19 and reduce the risk of severe disease and death. Here, we describe AZD7442, a combination of two mAbs, AZD8895 (tixagevimab) and AZD1061 (cilgavimab), that simultaneously bind to distinct, nonoverlapping epitopes on the spike protein receptor binding domain to neutralize SARS-CoV-2. Initially isolated from individuals with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, the two mAbs were designed to extend their half-lives and reduce effector functions. The AZD7442 mAbs individually prevent the spike protein from binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor, blocking virus cell entry, and neutralize all tested SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. In a nonhuman primate model of SARS-CoV-2 infection, prophylactic AZD7442 administration prevented infection, whereas therapeutic administration accelerated virus clearance from the lung. In an ongoing phase 1 study in healthy participants (NCT04507256), a 300-mg intramuscular injection of AZD7442 provided SARS-CoV-2 serum geometric mean neutralizing titers greater than 10-fold above those of convalescent serum for at least 3 months, which remained threefold above those of convalescent serum at 9 months after AZD7442 administration. About 1 to 2% of serum AZD7442 was detected in nasal mucosa, a site of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Extrapolation of the time course of serum AZD7442 concentration suggests AZD7442 may provide up to 12 months of protection and benefit individuals at high-risk of COVID-19. Long-lasting antibodies: Although monoclonal antibody therapeutics have considerably improved outcomes for individuals with COVID-19, their utility as a prophylactic intervention is restricted by the emergence of variants of concern (VOCs) and by short half-lives. To address this, Loo et al. evaluated a pair of antibodies, collectively termed AZD7442, which bind to two distinct epitopes on the receptor binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and have been modified to have an extended half-life. The antibody combination protected nonhuman primates from infection with SARS-CoV-2 when administered prophylactically or therapeutically. The antibodies were also resistant to all tested VOC, including the delta variant. Last, the authors showed that AZD7442 administration to healthy adults resulted in neutralizing antibody titers that were projected to confer long-term protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background Interleukin 13 is a central mediator of asthma. Tralokinumab is a human interleukin-13 neutralising monoclonal antibody. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of two dosing regimens of tralokinumab in patients with severe uncontrolled asthma. Methods We did a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicentre, phase 2b study at 98 sites in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. Patients aged 18–75 years with severe asthma and two to six exacerbations in the previous year were randomly assigned (1:1), via an interactive voice-response or web-response system, to one of two dosing regimen groups (every 2 weeks, or every 2 weeks for 12 weeks then every 4 weeks) and further randomised (2:1), via computer-generated permuted-block randomisation (block size of six), to receive tralokinumab 300 mg or placebo for 1 year. All participants received high-dose fluticasone and salmeterol and continued other pre-study controller drugs. Treatment was administered by an unmasked study investigator not involved in the management of patients; all other study site personnel, patients, the study funder, and data analysts were masked to treatment allocation. The primary endpoint was the annual asthma exacerbation rate at week 52 in the intention-to-treat population. Key secondary endpoints included prebronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1 ), Asthma Control Questionnaire-6 (ACQ-6), and Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire–Standardised Version (AQLQ[S]). This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov , number NCT01402986 . Findings Between Oct 4, 2011, and Feb 22, 2014, we randomly assigned 452 patients to receive placebo (n=151) or tralokinumab every 2 weeks (n=150) or every 4 weeks (n=151), of whom 383 (85%) completed the treatment period up to week 52. The annual asthma exacerbation rate at week 52 was similar between patients receiving tralokinumab every 2 weeks (0·91 per patient per year [95% CI 0·76–1·08]) and every 4 weeks (0·97 [0·81–1·14]), and those receiving placebo (0·90 [0·75–1·08]). At week 52, percentage changes in annual asthma exacerbation rate were not significant with tralokinumab every 2 weeks or every 4 weeks versus placebo (6% [95% CI −31 to 33; p=0·709] and −2% [–46 to 29; p=0·904], respectively), with positive changes showing a decrease in exacerbation rate and negative changes showing an increase. Prebronchodilator FEV 1 was significantly increased compared with placebo for tralokinumab every 2 weeks (change from baseline 7·3% [95% CI 2·6–12·0]; p=0·003), but not every 4 weeks (1·8% [–2·9 to 6·6]; p=0·448); however, we did not identify significant changes in the other key secondary endpoints. In a post-hoc subgroup analysis of patients not on long-term oral corticosteroids and with baseline FEV 1 reversibility of 12% or greater, we noted a non-significant improvement in asthma exacerbation rate (44% [95% CI −22 to 74]; p=0·147) and significant improvements in key secondary endpoints (FEV 1 12·2% [1·7–22·7]; p=0·022; ACQ-6 −0·55 [–1·07 to −0·04]; p=0·036; and AQLQ[S] 0·70 [0·12–1·28]; p=0·019) in patients given tralokinumab every 2 weeks (n=33) compared with placebo (n=48). In patients in this subgroup who also had baseline serum dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) higher than the population baseline median, we noted additional improvements in prebronchodilator FEV 1 , ACQ-6, and AQLQ(S), and, in those with periostin concentrations higher than the median, we noted improvements in asthma exacerbation rate, prebronchodilator FEV 1 , and ACQ-6. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events was similar between the tralokinumab and placebo groups. Treatment-emergent serious adverse events regarded as related to the study drug were pneumonia (one [1%] patient in the placebo group), pneumococcal pneumonia (one [1%] in the tralokinumab every 2 weeks group), angioedema (one [1%] in the placebo group), and worsening asthma (one [1%] in the tralokinumab every 2 weeks group and two [1%] in the tralokinumab every 4 weeks group). Interpretation In this phase 2b study, both tralokinumab regimens had an acceptable safety and tolerability profile but did not significantly reduce asthma exacerbation rates in patients with severe uncontrolled asthma. Improvement in FEV 1 with tralokinumab given every 2 weeks and results of post-hoc subgroup analyses suggested a possible treatment effect in a defined population of patients with severe uncontrolled asthma. This effect is being further investigated in ongoing phase 3 trials, along with the potential utility of DPP-4 and periostin as biomarkers of interleukin-13 pathway activation. Funding MedImmune. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]