Introducing Up The Antibodies: Helping the immunocompromised community get back to what they love

It’s no question that the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many of us to significantly change the way we live our lives. While vaccines are generally considered the best protection against COVID-19 as the world opens up, the reality is that vulnerable populations still have very real cause for concern.

A recent study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that among US patients hospitalized with COVID-19, immunocompromised adults accounted for a disproportionality high percentage (12.2%) of hospitalizations compared to an estimated 2.7% of the US adult population. These individuals are also at risk for higher odds of severe outcomes despite their vaccination status.1

The development of a long-acting monoclonal antibody has opened the door for additional protection among immunocompromised people.2

However, awareness of the unmet need for an additional layer of protection against COVID-19 to help protect people who are immunocompromised is still low, and that is the reason we launched Up The Antibodies: an educational campaign with the goal of empowering the immunocompromised community as they carefully re-emerge from the pandemic by educating them on the steps they can take to receive an additional layer of protection to prevent COVID-19 through a long-acting monoclonal antibody.

Antibodies are Y-shaped molecules produced naturally by the body’s immune system.3 They recognize, bind to and neutralize specific viruses and other pathogens.4 Monoclonal antibodies are produced in a laboratory to mimic or enhance the immune system's response, imitating the body’s normal infection-fighting abilities.5 They have the potential to work within hours, making them suitable for use in disease prevention and treatment.6 Monoclonal antibody therapy was one of the first tools used to treat COVID-19.7

As part of Up The Antibodies, we’re collaborating with well-known/powerful and trusted voices who are part of the immunocompromised community, healthcare providers and patient advocacy partners. To launch the campaign, we released an emotional and empowering public service announcement (PSA) featuring Academy Award-winning actor Jeff Bridges, who contracted COVID-19 while receiving chemotherapy for lymphoma. Jeff’s battle with COVID-19 almost cost him his life, so it was fitting that, for this PSA, he was able to get back to doing what he loves with some of his favorite people – joining director Scott Cooper and music legend T Bone Burnett for their first reunion since the making of 2009’s Academy Award-winning film, Crazy Heart.

Actor, producer, and Academy Award-nominated writer Kumail Nanjiani also joined the campaign, together with his wife, Academy Award-nominated writer and producer Emily V. Gordon. Emily navigates life as an immunocompromised individual with Kumail at her side. The couple is known to have open conversations about their situation throughout the pandemic, chronicled on their podcast “Staying In.” Kumail and Emily continued this discussion specifically for Up The Antibodies, kicking off the campaign with patient advocates, influencers and other key healthcare stakeholders to share what it’s like now – still not able to fully move forward.

Jeff, Kumail and Emily, alongside AstraZeneca and our patient advocacy partners, including the Immune Deficiency Foundation, are united in our mission to support and empower the immunocompromised community as they strive to get back to what they love and find their own form of normalcy despite the ongoing pandemic.

Visit UpTheAntibodies.com to learn more, find helpful resources and to join our community to hear from these powerful voices alongside others within the immunocompromised community. We are committed to doing our part in fighting COVID-19 by following the science, supporting communities like the immunocompromised and helping patients with therapeutic options so they can get back to doing what they love with who they love.

References

  1. Singson JRc., Kirley PD, Pham H, et al. Factors associated with severe outcomes among immunocompromised adults hospitalized for covid-19 - covid-net, 10 states, March 2020–February 2022. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7127a3.htm. Published July 7, 2022. Accessed August 2, 2022.
  2. Anti-SARS-cov-2 monoclonal antibodies. National Institutes of Health. https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/therapies/anti-sars-cov-2-antibody-products/anti-sars-cov-2-monoclonal-antibodies/. Accessed August 23, 2022.
  3. Janeway CA J, Travers P, Walport M, et al. Immunobiology: The Immune System in Health and Disease. 5th edition. New York: Garland Science; 2001. The structure of a typical antibody molecule. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK27144/. Accessed July 18, 2022.  
  4. Lloyd EC. Patient information: Monoclonal antibodies for COVID-19. JAMA. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2776307. Published March 9, 2021. Accessed July 13, 2022.
  5. Zost, S.J., Gilchuk, P., Case, J.B. et al. Potently neutralizing and protective human antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Nature 584, 443–449 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2548-6
  6. Types of immunity to a disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/immunity-types.htm. Published September 24, 2021. Accessed August 23, 2022.
  7. Minnich A, Rocha  D, Hu Y, Boell  K, Burke GF. Nejm Group. NEJM Catalyst. https://catalyst.nejm.org/action/showCitFormats?doi=10.1056%2FCAT.21.0463. Accessed August 23, 2022.