Laboratory tests of GlaxoSmithKline’s (GSK) antibody-based COVID-19 therapy being developed with US partner Vir have indicated that the drug is effective against the new omicron variant, the British drugmaker reported.
A statement from GSK said laboratory tests and a study in hamsters have shown that the sotrovimab antibody cocktail works against viruses that were biologically engineered to carry a series of distinctive omicron variant mutations.
Testing continues to confirm results against all omicron mutations, and an update is expected by the end of the year, he added.
The antibody is designed to adhere to the spike protein on the coronavirus surface, but omicron has been found to have an unusually high number of mutations in that protein.
“Sotrovimab was deliberately designed with a mutant virus in mind“Said Vir CEO George Scangos, adding that the drug targeted a region of the spike protein that was highly unlikely to mutate.
Separately, Britain’s drug regulator approved sotrovimab, also known under the brand name Xevudy, on Thursday for people with mild to moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk of developing a serious illness.
The Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) recommended the use of Xevudy as soon as possible and within five days after the onset of symptoms.
Sotrovimab is based on monoclonal antibodies, which are laboratory-made versions of natural antibodies the body makes to fight infection. Eli Lilly, Regeneron and AstraZeneca offer or are developing similar products.
Regeneron reported Tuesday that laboratory tests and computer modeling suggest that COVID-19 antibody drugs, including Regeneron’s, would have reduced efficacy against the omicron variant.
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