Evusheld

Evusheld is given as two injections (one of tixagevimab and one of cilgavimab) given one after the other at different sites, preferably in the gluteal muscles (buttocks). For the prevention of COVID-19, tixagevimab and cilgavimab are given at a dose of 150 mg each. For treatment, the two injections are given at a dose of 300 mg each, as soon as possible after a positive test for SARS CoV-2 and within 7 days of the start of symptoms of COVID-19.

The medicine can only be obtained with a prescription and should be given under conditions that allow patients to be adequately monitored and managed in case they develop severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis.

For more information about using Evusheld, see the package leaflet or contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Evusheld contains tixagevimab and cilgavimab, two monoclonal antibodies. A monoclonal antibody is a type of protein that has been designed to recognise and attach to a specific structure. Tixagevimab and cilgavimab have been designed to attach to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) at two different sites. When the antibodies in Evusheld attach to the spike protein, the virus cannot enter the cells to multiply.

Prevention of COVID-19

One main study involving over 5,000 people showed that Evusheld reduced the risk of COVID-19 infection by 77%, with duration of protection from the virus estimated to be at least six months. In the study, adults who had never had COVID-19 and had not received a COVID-19 vaccine or other preventative treatment received Evusheld or placebo (a dummy injection). Of the people given Evusheld, 0.2% (8 out of 3,441) had lab-confirmed breakthrough COVID-19, compared with 1% (17 out of 1,731) of the people who received placebo.

The study data were collected before the emergence of the Omicron variant. Laboratory studies show that the Omicron BA.1 variant may be less sensitive to tixagevimab and cilgavimab at 150 mg doses than the Omicron BA.2 variant.

Treatment of COVID-19

A main study involving around 900 adults with COVID-19 who did not need oxygen and who were at increased risk of their illness becoming severe showed that Evusheld led to fewer cases of severe COVID-19 or death than placebo. Of the patients who were not hospitalised at the time of treatment, 4.4% (18 out of 407) treated with Evusheld developed severe COVID-19 or died within 29 days of treatment, compared with 8.9% (37 out of 415) of those receiving placebo.  

No clinical data were collected on the latest variants of concern, including Omicron sub-variants.

The most common side effects with Evusheld (which may affect up to 1 in 10 people) are hypersensitivity (allergic reactions) and reactions at the site of injection.

For the full list of side effects and restrictions of Evusheld, see the package leaflet.

Evusheld was shown to reduce the risk of developing COVID-19 in the first six months after being given as preventive treatment. As a treatment for patients with COVID-19 who were at increased risk of their disease becoming severe, the medicine was shown to reduce the risk of severe disease or death. The safety profile of Evusheld is favourable and side effects are generally mild.

The European Medicines Agency therefore decided that Evusheld’s benefits are greater than its risks and it can be authorised for use in the EU.

Recommendations and precautions to be followed by healthcare professionals and patients for the safe and effective use of Evusheld have been included in the summary of product characteristics and the package leaflet.

As for all medicines, data on the use of Evusheld are continuously monitored. Suspected side effects reported with Evusheld are carefully evaluated and any necessary action taken to protect patients.

Evusheld received a marketing authorisation valid throughout the EU on 25 March 2022.

This overview was last updated in 10-2022.