AstraZeneca begins COVID-19 dual-use antibody drug trial in UK

UKheadquartered biopharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca on Tuesday announced the start of clinical trials for an antibody drug which offers dual hope to treat and prevent COVID19 The drug known as AZD7442 has the potential to be given as a preventative option for people exposed to the Coronavirus and to treat and prevent disease progression in patients already infected by the deadly virusThis trial is an important milestone in the development of our monoclonal antibody combination to prevent or treat COVID19 said Mene Pangalos Executive Vice President BioPharmaceuticals RampD at AstraZenecaThis combination of antibodies coupled to our proprietary halflife extension technology has the potential to improve both the effectiveness and durability of use in addition to reducing the likelihood of viral resistance said PangalosS Korea shuts school in Seoul South Korea is closing schools and switching back to remote learning in the greater capital area as the country counted its 12th straight day of tripledigit daily increases in Coronavirus casesEducation Minister Yoo Eunhae on Tuesday said that at least 193 students and teachers were found infected over the past two weeks in the Seoul metropolitan region where a viral surge has threatened to erase the countrys hardwon epidemiological gainsSouth Koreas Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported 280 newly confirmed cases of COVID19 pushing the 12day total to 3175 The countrys caseload is now at 17945 including 310 deaths First COVID reinfection case University of Hong Kong scientists claim to have the first evidence of someone being reinfected with the virus that causes COVID19Genetic tests revealed that a 33yearold man returning to Hong Kong from a trip to Spain in midAugust had a different strain of the Coronavirus than the one hed previously been infected with in March said Dr Kelvin KaiWang To the microbiologist who led the workThe man had mild symptoms the first time and none the second time his more recent infection was detected through screening and testing at the Hong Kong airport It shows that some people do not have lifelong immunity to the virus if theyve already had it To saidWe dont know how many people can get reinfected There are probably more out there Bali shut for foreigners till yr end The Indonesian island of Bali will not open to foreign tourists again this year due to Coronavirus concernsAuthorities of the popular holiday destination had earlier said foreign visitors would be allowed to return from next month But the plan has been scrapped over concerns about Indonesias mounting Covid19 cases The move has renewed worries about the impact on residents in an economy heavily dependent on tourism Millions of foreigners fly to Bali each year in search of deserted beaches terraced rice fields and sprawling Hindu templesThe situation in Indonesia is not conducive to allow international tourists to visit the country including Bali said the islands governor Wayan Koster in a recent statementKeep scrolling to read more newsCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates MidDay is now on Telegram Click here to join our channel middayinfomedialtd and stay updated with the latest newsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever