AZ COVID Antibody Treatment, Samsung Bio Contract Manufacturing

Published 14 Dec.2021 09:34(KST)

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] AstraZeneca (AZ) announced on the 14th that it has signed a contract for the contract manufacturing organization (CMO) of its COVID-19 antibody treatment and immuno-oncology drug with Samsung Biologics.

Accordingly, Samsung Biologics will produce AZ's long-acting COVID-19 antibody treatment 'AZD7442' (generic names 'Tixagevimab' and 'Cilgavimab'). In addition, starting next year, it will also produce the immuno-oncology drug 'Imfinzi' (generic name 'Durvalumab').

This contract is an expansion of the CMO agreement for drugs including AZD7442 that the two companies signed last September. The contract value increased from the previous $331 million to $380 million, an increase of $49 million (approximately 58.1 billion KRW).

AZD7442 is a substance developed by AstraZeneca for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Although it has not yet been approved domestically, it is the first antibody agent to receive emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for COVID-19 prevention. It has also been approved for use in France, Italy, Bahrain, and other countries.