COVID-19 Pre Exposure, Preventive Treatment for Those With Compromised Immune Systems Enters a New Phase

Annandale, VA; June 9, 2023

The leaders and researchers at the Clinical Alliance for Research and Education-Infectious Diseases (CARE-ID) are pleased to announce a refocusing of their collaboration with Astra Zeneca for an advanced monoclonal antibody for pre-exposure prophylaxis (prevention) of COVID-19.

Not everyone can take advantage of COVID-19 vaccines.  In particular, people whose immune systems are compromised by genetic conditions and other illnesses have difficulty generating a strong enough immune response after receiving the available vaccines. Without such a response, the vaccines aren’t as effective at preventing a COVID-19 infection and severe sickness.

For this reason, there is an effort underway to develop a COVID-19 preventive antibody agent that can provide protection. AstraZeneca, a major pharmaceutical company, has been working on this new type of agent andCARE-ID is an active partner in this effort.

“Antibody treatment is different from a vaccine”, says Stephen Poretz, RN, MSHA, MBA, CARE-ID Chief Operating Officer.  “Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) agents like monoclonal antibodies behave like naturally occurring antibodies while vaccines behave like a pathogen trying to stimulate one’s own antibody production.  This type of preventative (a “pre-exposure prophylaxis”) can’t come fast enough for some people.”

Read more about this important new clinical research