The biotech compound created by AstraZeneca, AZD7442, houses antibodies in a long-acting antibody combination for prophylaxis of symptomatic COVID-19. It is designed to contain the virus if someone becomes infected, which is different from COVID-19 vaccines that use the immune system of an individual to produce antibodies and cells that can fight off the virus.

Filing for the Emergency Use Authorization, the company has included data from its PROVENT Phase III trial, which showed a 77% reduction in risk of developing symptomatic COVID-19 without the need for a vaccine.

The therapy treatment, taken via two injections, could provide protection to those without a strong enough immune response to COVID-19 vaccines. It is designed to be effective for close to a year, providing protection from the virus.