A joint-venture between Vir Biotechnology and GlaxoSmithKline applied to the U.S. FDA for emergency use authorization for their COVID-19 dual-action antibody which in a phase-3 clinical trial showed a remarkable 85% reduction in hospitalization or death for patients with confirmed disease.
Similar antibody treatments from Eli Lilly and Regeneron, have not been widely used because they require intravenous infusion in a hospital setting soon after patients become symptomatic. The Vir-Glaxo venture aims to develop an intramuscular injection which would be targeted to the pre-symptomatic at-risk population as soon as disease is detected by testing.
The new antibody is effective against all COVID variants according to a company spokesman.
