The Canadian Government has signed a new conditional agreement with AstraZeneca for 100,000 doses of its COVID-19 antibody therapy, Evusheld.
Minister of Public Services and Procurement Filomena Tassi says the antibody therapy is under review by Health Canada for use in specific high-risk patient populations, such as people who are immunocompromised.
Should the therapy receive regulatory approval, initial deliveries would be expected to arrive in Canada within a month of authorization.
The Public Health Agency of Canada would then coordinate distribution and delivery schedules with provincial and territorial officials immediately following initial deliveries.
"We are pleased to announce yet another important procurement in Canada's fight against COVID-19. Securing antibody therapies, such as Evusheld, will enhance our robust toolkit of therapeutics to protect the health and safety of everyone in Canada," said Tassi.
"Vaccination continues to be the most important tool we have against severe outcomes from COVID-19. However, while vaccines provide excellent protection, people who are immunocompromised may need additional protection against COVID-19. That is why our government continues to grow its suite of treatments and preventative therapies to protect the health of everyone who lives in Canada," said Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health.
Canada also previously secured access to courses of two oral antiviral treatments for COVID-19: Pfizer's Paxlovid and Merck's Molnupiravir. Health Canada authorized Paxlovid on January 17, 2022, and the Molnupiravir submission is under review.
