Covid: Usa, ok to monoclonal Gsk-Vir Biotechnology for emergency use

Rome, May 27 (beraking latest news Salute) – After Europe, the US has also approved the emergency use of the monoclonal antibody Sotrovimab, developed by Gsk and Vir Biotechnology, for the treatment of mild to moderate Covid-19 in adults and pediatric patients at high risk aged 12 years or older. Positive patients but at high risk of severe disease progression, including hospitalization or death. This was announced by a note from GSK.

“Treatment with sotrovimab resulted in an 85% reduction in the risk of hospitalization or death in high-risk adult outpatients compared to placebo, based on the interim results of the phase 3 Comet-Ice study – recalls Gsk. in vitro indicate that sotrovimab maintains activity against all known variants of concern, including the variant from India. Sotrovimab will be available to appropriate patients diagnosed with Covid-19 in the United States in the coming weeks. ”

According to George Scangos, Vir’s chief executive officer: “Our distinctive scientific approach resulted in a single monoclonal antibody which, based on an interim analysis, resulted in an 85% reduction in hospitalizations or deaths for all causes, and has shown, in vitro, that it maintains activity against all known variants of concern, including that emerging from India. I believe that sotrovimab – he adds – is a fundamental new therapeutic option in the fight against the current pandemic and potentially also for future coronavirus outbreaks. At Vir, our goal is not only to provide clinically effective therapy for Covid-19, but also to provide effective therapy against Sars-CoV-2 variants and the potential pandemics of tomorrow. “.

“The fast pace of Covid-19 vaccinations in the United States is encouraging, but despite these aggressive efforts, there is still a need to help prevent the development of complications in infected patients. In just over a year into our collaboration and in Less than 10 months into clinical trials, we are delighted that, starting today, the benefits of this unique monoclonal antibody will now be available to patients in need, ”concluded Hal Barron, chief scientific officer and president of R&D GSK.