GSK: test shows antibody cocktail works against Ômicron

British pharmacist released a statement on Thursday

Published on 02/12/2021 - 10:05 By Ludwig Burger - Repórter da Reuters - Londres

Laboratory analyzes of antibody therapy against covid-19 that GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is developing in partnership with the US company Vir indicate that the drug is effective against the new Ômicron variant of the coronavirus, announced the British drugmaker on Thursday ( two).

In a statement, GSK said laboratory tests and a study in hamsters had shown that the sotrovimab antibody cocktail works against viruses that were bioengineered to carry several characteristic mutations of Ômicron.

Testing continues to confirm the results against all Ômicron mutations and an update is expected by the end of the year, the statement added.

The antibodies are designed to attach to the spike protein on the surface of the coronavirus, but micron has been found to have an abnormally high amount of mutations in that protein.

"Sotrovimab was deliberately created with a mutated virus in mind," said Vir CEO George Scangos, adding that the drug is targeting a region of the spike protein that is very unlikely to mutate.

Separately, the UK Medicines Regulatory Agency has today approved sotrovimab, also known by the trade name Xevudy, for people with mild to moderate covid-19 cases who are at high risk of developing a serious disease.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has recommended using Xevudy as soon as possible, up to five days after symptoms appear.

Sotrovimab is based on monoclonal antibodies, which are laboratory versions of the natural antibodies the body creates to fight infections. Similar products are offered or are being developed by Eli Lilly, Regeneron and AstraZeneca.

On Tuesday, Regeneron said laboratory tests and computer models suggest that antibody drugs against covid-19, including its own, would have reduced effectiveness against the Ômicron variant.

Text translated using artificial intelligence.

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