GlaxoSmithKline/Vir neutralizing antibody sotrovimab was granted emergency use authorization by the U.S. FDA

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On May 26, the US FDA granted emergency use authorization (EUA) for the COVID-19 monoclonal antibody drug sotrovimab for mild to moderate patients who tested positive for the virus and have a high risk of developing severe COVID-19 (including hospitalization and death) Adults and adolescents (12 years and older, weighing at least 40 kg) patients.

Sotrovimab is a neutralizing antibody developed by GlaxoSmithKline and Vir Biotechnology.

Data from the Phase 3 COMET-ICE trial showed that among high-risk, newly diagnosed COVID-19 patients, sotrovimab can reduce hospitalization or mortality by 85% compared with placebo.

On the contrary, sotrovimab, as a single antibody, seems to be able to neutralize every variant that is constantly emerging.

Vir company George Scangos said: "sotrovimab has been shown to retain activity against all known variants in in vitro tests, including new variants from India.

Nevertheless, the exact impact of Vir antibodies on the COVID-19 pandemic remains unclear.

George Scangos also talked about the possibility of deploying sotrovimab around the world, but although Vir promised at the end of 2020 that it will provide millions of doses in 2021, a GSK spokesperson declined to say how many doses are currently ready.

GSK and Vir stated that they will provide sotrovimab to appropriate patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in the United States in the next few weeks.

The COVID-19 neutralizing antibody therapies previously granted EUA have received orders from the U.

Reference source: FDA authorizes Vir-GSK antibody as variants threaten Eli Lilly mAb