GSK says its Covid-19 antibody drug found effective against Omicron in early studies

MUMBAI: UK firm GlaxoSmithKline and its US partner, Vir Biotechnology, said their investigational monoclonal antibody, sotrovimab, is effective against all mutations of the Omicron coronavirus variant, citing new data from early-stage studies.

Sotrovimab is the first monoclonal antibody to report preclinical data demonstrating activity against all tested SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and interest to date, including Omicron, as well as the still prevalent and highly contagious Delta variant, the company said.

The data, yet to be published in a peer-reviewed medical journal, shows that the companies' therapy, sotrovimab, is effective against all 37 identified mutations to date in the spike protein, GSK said in a statement.

The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) recently granted a conditional marketing authorisation for Xevudy (sotrovimab) for the treatment of symptomatic adults and adolescents (12 years and above) with acute Covid-19 infection, who do not require oxygen supplementation and are at increased risk of progressing to severe Covid infection. The approval is based on Phase III data showing sotrovimab reduced the risk of hospitalisation or death by 79% in adult patients with an increased risk of progressing to severe Covid-19.

It is recommended that Xevudy is administered within five days of onset of symptoms of Covid-19.