Monoclonal Antibody Retains In Vitro Activity Against the Omicron Virus Variant

California-based Vir Biotechnology, Inc. and GlaxoSmithKline plc today announced an update to non-peer-reviewed preclinical data demonstrating that sotrovimab, an investigational monoclonal antibody, retains in vitro activity against the known Omicron spike protein, the new SARS-CoV-2 variant (B.1.1.529).

The preclinical data was generated through pseudo-virus testing of the combined known mutations of the Omicron variant, which included the maximum number of changes (37 mutations) identified to date in the spike protein.

Additionally, Vir Bio announced that management would host a conference call at 8:30 am ET, December 7, 2021, to discuss the new data.

A live webcast can be accessed under Events & Presentations in the Investors section of the Vir website at www.vir.bio.

George Scangos, Ph.D., CEO of Vir, said in a press release, "Sotrovimab is the first monoclonal antibody to report preclinical data demonstrating activity against all tested SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and interest to date, including Omicron, as well as the still prevalent and highly contagious Delta variant."

"Given the less than three-fold neutralization shift demonstrated in the preclinical pseudo-virus assay, we are confident that sotrovimab will continue to provide significant benefit for the early treatment of patients hoping to avoid the most severe consequences of COVID-19."

Sotrovimab (Xevudy®) is a pan-sarbecovirus anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody selected based on its potential to neutralize the betacoronavirus in vitro, kill infected cells, provide a high barrier to resistance, and achieve high concentrations in the lungs.

Sotrovimab is authorized for emergency use in the United States. 

Xevudy (sotrovimab) received a positive scientific opinion in the EU, conditional marketing authorization in the UK, Australia, Saudi Arabia, and has been approved via the Special Approval for Emergency Pathway in Japan.

And temporary authorizations for sotrovimab have been granted in a dozen countries.