Laboratory analysis of the antibody-based COVID-19 therapy that GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is developing with its US partner Vir has shown that the drug is effective against the new variant of Omicron, the manufacturer says. UK Pharmaceuticals said on Thursday.
“Laboratory tests and a study in hamsters have demonstrated the antibody cocktail sotrovimab to work against viruses that are biologically engineered to carry a number of characteristic mutations,” said a GSK statement. of the Omicron variant.
Trials are continuing to confirm results against all Omicron mutations, with an update expected later this year.
This antibody was designed to bind to a mutant protein on the surface of the coronavirus, but Omicron was found to have an unusually high amount of mutation on that protein.
Virology CEO George Scangos said: “Sotrovimab was intentionally designed with a mutant virus in mind, adding that the drug is targeting a region of the mutated protein that is highly unlikely to mutate. variable.
Separately, Britain’s drug regulator on Thursday approved sotrovimab, also known as Xevudy, for people with mild to moderate COVID-19 and who are at high risk of developing severe illness. .
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) recommends using Xevudy as soon as possible and within five days of the onset of symptoms.
Sotrovimab is based on monoclonal antibodies, which are lab-made versions of the natural antibodies the body makes to fight infections. Similar products are offered or in development by Eli Lilly, Regeneron and AstraZeneca.
Regeneron on Tuesday said that laboratory tests and computer modeling showed that COVID-19 antibody drugs including Regeneron would be less effective against the Omicron variant.
(Reporting by Ludwig Burger Editing by David Goodman)
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