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AZ’s Evusheld Receives World-First Approval As COVID-19 Treatment, In Japan

Contrast With UK Decisions

 
• By Lisa Takagi

Japan has approved Evusheld for both the prevention of infection in people who have not been exposed to the virus and, for the first time globally, as a treatment. The country's government will purchase 300,000 units from AZ amid global supplies that have been limited due to the surging need for the drug.

Evusheld was approved both for treatment and prevention of COVID-19 at pre-exposure stage
Evusheld was approved both for treatment and prevention of COVID-19 at pre-exposure stage • Source: Shutterstock

AstraZeneca PLC’s long-acting antibody combination Evusheld (150mg each of tixagevimab and cilgavimab, formerly AZD7442) has received a global first approval in Japan for the treatment of COVID-19, the country’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) and the UK-based company announced on 30 August.

Japan also approved the drug the same day for prevention (pre-exposure prophylaxis) of the disease, the same indication for which the product has already been approved in Europe and in the US, where the Food and Drug Administration issued an Emergency Use Authorization

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