British drugmaker GSK (GSK.L) said on Tuesday its antibody-based COVID-19 therapy with U.S. partner Vir Biotechnology (VIR.O) is effective against all mutations of the new Omicron coronavirus variant, citing new data from early-stage studies.

The data, which have not yet been peer-reviewed and published in a medical review, show that the treatment of the two companies, sotrovimab, is effective against all 37 mutations that have been identified to date in the Omicron variant protein spike, clarifies GSK in its announcement.

Last week, other preclinical data showed that the drug was effective against major mutations in the Omicron variant. The drug sotrovimab is designed to attach to the spike protein on the surface of the new coronavirus, but Omicron was found to have an unusually high number of mutations in this protein.

“These preclinical data demonstrate the potential of our monoclonal antibody to be effective against the recent variant, Omicron, as well as against all others that have so far been identified as variants of concern by the World Health Organization,” said Hal Barron, the Chief Scientific Officer and President of GSK.

also read

The International Space Station (ISS) to be visible over parts of Greece