|
 A GSK statement said that lab tests and a study on hamsters have
demonstrated the sotrovimab antibody cocktail to work against
viruses that were bio-engineered to carry a number of hallmark
mutations of the Omicron variant.
The tests are continuing to confirm the results against all of the
Omicron mutations, with an update expected by the end of the year,
it added.
The antibody is designed to latch on to the spike protein on the
surface of the coronavirus, but Omicron has been found to have an
unusually high amount of mutations on that protein.
“Sotrovimab was deliberately designed with a mutating virus in
mind," said Vir Chief Executive George Scangos, adding that the drug
was targeting a region of the spike protein that was highly unlikely
to mutate.
Separately, Britain's drug regulator on Thursday approved sotrovimab,
also known under the brand name Xevudy, for people with mild to
moderate COVID-19 and who are at high risk of developing severe
disease.
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 The Medicines and Healthcare
products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) recommended
use of 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 generates to fight off an
infection. Similar products are offered or being
developed by Eli Lilly, Regeneron and
AstraZeneca.
Regeneron on Tuesday said that lab tests and
computer modelling suggest that COVID-19
antibody drugs including Regeneron's would have
reduced efficacy against the Omicron variant.
(Reporting by Ludwig BurgerEditing by David
Goodman)
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