GlaxoSmithKline, Eli Lilly, Vir Partner on Therapy for Moderate Covid-19 Cases
January 27 2021 - 7:14AM
Dow Jones News
By Ian Walker
GlaxoSmithKline PLC said Wednesday that it is partnering with
Eli Lilly & Co. and Vir Biotechnology Inc. to evaluate a
combination of two Covid-19 therapies in low-risk patients with
mild-to-moderate symptoms of the virus.
Under the collaboration, Lilly has expanded a trial of its
Bamlanivimab antibody to include Vir and Glaxo's VIR-7831
monoclonal antibody.
Bamlanivimab is a neutralizing antibody directed against the
spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, designed to block viral attachment and
entry into human cells, and therefore neutralize the virus.
Vir and Glaxo's VIR-7831 antibody drug has the potential to both
block viral entry into healthy cells and clear infected cells, as
well as provide a high barrier to resistance, the companies
said.
Lilly's Chief Scientific Officer Daniel Skovronsky said that
trials of Bamlanivimab have demonstrated "robust evidence" for both
treating and preventing Covid-19.
"Despite the significant progress on vaccines, there remains an
urgent patient need for multiple therapeutic approaches to help
prevent the severe consequences of Covid-19," Glaxo Chief
Scientific Officer Dr. Hal Barron said.
Lilly's Bamlanivimab on its own has already been authorized by
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treating people sick with
mild-to-moderate Covid-19 cases. Vir and Glaxo's VIR-7831 is being
evaluated in two late-stage trials for treatment of hospitalized
patients and as an early treatment in adults at high risk of
hospitalization.
Write to Ian Walker at ian.walker@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
January 27, 2021 06:59 ET (11:59 GMT)
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