AstraZeneca announced Thursday during the 2022 Taihu Bay Future Healthcare Conference that it has formed a strategic partnership with WuXi Biologics on the local production of Evusheld, a long-acting antibody combination used for the pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19.

The partnership is another key development following the early July launch of Evusheld for pilot use in Hainan province's Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, under the zone's preferential policies to promote innovative medical services.

AstraZeneca's long-acting antibody combination was authorized for emergency use for pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 in the US in December 2021. In March, it obtained marketing authorization in the European Union and was granted conditional marketing authorization in Great Britain for pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19. Evusheld is also authorized for use and is supplied in several other countries around the world. Regulatory filings are progressing in both prevention and treatment indications around the world.

The therapy can provide lasting protection for a wide range of people with poor immunity and who are not fully protected by COVID-19 vaccines, and for those who are at high risk of virus exposure.

Clinical research has shown that the protective effect of an Evusheld injection lasts for at least six months, according to biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca.

Leon Wang, executive vice-president of AstraZeneca China, said: "The fight against COVID-19 is continuing. AstraZeneca is willing to join hands with Chinese partners to accelerate efforts to conquer the pandemic. WuXi Biologics has a world-leading production platform with the capacity and technical capabilities to support the production and supply of Evusheld in China, so that immune-compromised people who are not suitable for vaccination can be given extra protection."

Chris Chen, CEO of WuXi Biologics, said, "The cooperation between global biopharmaceutical companies is crucial to conquering the COVID-19 pandemic. We are delighted to work with AstraZeneca to produce the long-acting antibody combination in China and help provide a stable supply of this product."

Wei Wei contributed to the story