AstraZeneca Partners with WuXi Biologics for Overseas Supply of Evusheld Neutralizing Antibody Drug Substance

China Finance and Economics News, November 5th, by reporter Du Ding: On the first day of the Fifth China International Import Expo, AstraZeneca and WuXi Biologics held a press conference regarding the export supply of the active pharmaceutical ingredient for the COVID-19 neutralizing antibody combination drug Evusheld (Tixagevimab and Cilgavimab, formerly known as AZD7442).

AstraZeneca Entrusts WuXi Biologics to Manufacture and Supply Overseas the Bulk Drug Substance of Neutralizing Antibody. This marks another significant progress following their collaboration on the localization of this neutralizing antibody production in August this year.

AstraZeneca's COVID-19 preventive neutralizing antibody combination drug received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) in the United States at the end of last year, obtained marketing authorization in the European Union and conditional marketing authorization in the UK in March this year. In China, the drug received conditional approval from the Hong Kong Department of Health in May this year, passed special import approval via the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone in Hainan, China in June for pre-exposure prophylaxis of the coronavirus, and was first used clinically in Boao in July. Currently, the drug has been approved and supplied in many countries around the world.

AstraZeneca's Global Executive Vice President and President of International Business & China, Leon Wang, stated that the COVID-19 pandemic is a tremendous global challenge that requires a globalized solution. The widespread and equitable provision of preventive medications worldwide is an effective approach to combating the global pandemic. "AstraZeneca is pleased to leverage the CIIE to collaborate with our partner WuXi Biologics in completing the significant upgrade of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) for the COVID-19 neutralizing antibody drug from 'bringing in' to 'going out.' WuXi Biologics possesses an internationally recognized integrated biologics R&D and manufacturing service platform. We believe in their mature technical expertise and production capabilities, which can facilitate the supply of the API for the combination of COVID-19 preventive neutralizing antibodies in multiple countries and regions overseas, benefiting a broader population and providing them with additional protection, supporting both China and the world in fighting the pandemic."

Dr. Chris Chen, CEO of WuXi Biologics, stated that WuXi Biologics and AstraZeneca have established a long-term and stable partnership. He expressed great delight at the further expansion of the collaboration this time. Leveraging WuXi Biologics' extensive production experience and abundant capacity, the company will continue to support the stable global supply of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 preventive neutralizing antibody drug.