WONDER DRUG

NEW COVID TREATMENT SHOWS 85% REDUCTION IN DEATH

A NEW antibody drug for people with mild to moderate Covid symptoms reduces death or hospital admission by 85 per cent, pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has said.

GSK and partner Vir Biotechnology said they plan to immediately seek an emergency use authorisation in the US and approval in other countries including the UK.

The drug, VIR-7831, is a new monoclonal antibody treatment – and the study has been so successful that it has been stopped early. The global clinical trial based its initial analysis on data from 583 patients at risk of hospital admission.

A separate laboratory study found that VIR-7831 is effective against the main current Covid variants, including the Kent, South African and Brazilian strains, the firm said.

Dr Hal Barron, chief scientific officer at GSK, said: ‘We are pleased that this unique monoclonal antibody was able to bring such a profound benefit to patients.

‘We look forward to the possibility of making VIR-7831 available to patients as soon as possible and to further exploring its potential.’

Monoclonal antibodies are labproduced molecules that mimic human antibodies. GSK said VIR-7831 works in two ways – by blocking the virus’s entry into healthy cells and also clearing infected cells. It is given as a single intravenous (IV) infusion.

A trial using the drug in very sick patients in hospital was stopped last week owing to a lack of benefit.

Latest government figures show there were 6,753 new Covid cases and 181 deaths in the last 2 hours.