Preclinical data reveal the effectiveness of monoclonal antibody treatment, Sotrovimab against the Omicron variant.
As the Omicron variant continues to circulate around the world, scientists are trying to find more and more about the heavily mutated strain. Multiple studies are currently underway in hopes to provide a better understanding of the virus. Moreover, many scientists have expressed concerns over the strain’s likely ability to evade vaccines and cause reinfections. However, amid all this alarm, some promising data has come out of a recent study by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Vir Biotechnology. The preclinical data reported on the effectiveness of an antibody treatment against the Omicron variant.
Recently, the team at GSK and Vir conducted an in-vitro study on the effectiveness of Sotrovimab against the new strain. The investigational monoclonal antibody treatment targets the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. Currently, it is approved for emergency use in the United States and several other countries.
Previously, the treatment has demonstrated activity against other variants of concern and interest. Now, researchers have further tested its activity against key mutations in the Omicron variant. The preclinical data is available on the preprint server, bioRxiv.
Sotrovimab was deliberately designed with a mutating virus in mind. By targeting a highly conserved region of the spike protein that is less likely to mutate, we hoped to address both the current SARS-CoV-2 virus and future variants that we expected would be inevitable.
Dr. George Scangos, Chief Executive Officer of Vir
Preclinical Data Shows Activity Against Variant
Researchers conducted the in-vitro study on a pseudo-virus containing specific mutations of the Omicron variant. Results showed the antibodies binding effectively to the surface of the cells and the virus’s spike protein. The team now plans to test the treatment against a pseudo-virus containing all mutations of the Omicron variant.
Though early, these pre-clinical data support our long-held view on the potential for sotrovimab to maintain its activity as the virus continues to mutate.
Dr Hal Barron, Chief Scientific Officer and President R&D, GSK
Reference:
Cathcart, Andrea L, et al. “The Dual Function Monoclonal Antibodies Vir-7831 and VIR-7832 Demonstrate Potent in Vitro and in Vivo Activity against SARS-COV-2.” 2021, doi:10.1101/2021.03.09.434607.
