AstraZeneca's Evusheld (Tixagevimab + Cilgavimab), a long-acting antibody (LAAB) combination, has received emergency use authorisation (EUA) in the US for the pre-exposure prophylaxis (prevention) of COVID-19.
Evusheld is used in adults and adolescents (12 years of age and older who weigh at least 88 pounds [40 kg]) for pre-exposure prophylaxis for prevention of COVID-19 in persons who are:
not currently infected with SARS-CoV-2 and who have not had recent known close contact with someone who is infected with SARS-CoV-2 and
1. Who have moderate to severe immune compromise due to a medical condition or have received immunosuppressive medicines or treatments and may not mount an adequate immune response to COVID-19 vaccination or
2. For whom vaccination available COVID-19 vaccine, according to the approved or authorized schedule, is not recommended due to a history of severe adverse reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine(s) or COVID-19 vaccine ingredient(s).
Evusheld is a combination of two long-acting monoclonal antibodies and is the only antibody therapy authorised in the US for COVID-19 pre-exposure prophylaxis and the only COVID-19 antibody delivered as an intramuscular dose (150mg tixagevimab and 150mg cilgavimab).
Tixagevimab and cilgavimab are two recombinant human IgG1κ monoclonal antibodies with amino acid substitutions to extend antibody half-life (YTE), reduce antibody effector function, and minimize the potential risk of antibody-dependent enhancement of disease (TM). Tixagevimab and cilgavimab can simultaneously bind to non-overlapping regions of the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.
