Good news in the fight against coronavirus to help hospitals and unclog resuscitation units… This Wednesday July 28, the European Commission issued a press release and announced they have signed a “joint procurement framework contract” with UK laboratory Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK) for a promising experimental therapy using the “technology” of monoclonal antibodies “conceived in the laboratory”, Sotrovimab (VIR-7831).
Developed in partnership with VIR Biotechnology, this therapy is one of the five candidates selected in June 2021 by the EU Commission, and is subject to rolling review carried out by the European Medicines Agency. An agreement signed by 16 State Members, for 220,000 therapy doses. “We committed in our COVID-19 Therapeutics Strategy to have at least three new therapeutics [authorized] by October”, Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety said.
She went on: “We are now delivering a second framework contract that brings monoclonal antibodies treatments to patients. Alongside vaccines, safe and effective therapeutics will play a pivotal role in Europe's return to a new normal”.
A therapy used to cure sick showing mild symptoms not requiring oxygen support, but likely to develop severe Covid. According to the latest studies, early administration could cut the risk of developing severe infection and unclog resuscitation units.
The contract also states the European Union can get the therapy from the laboratory, if need be, once approved for marketing issuance by the EMA. A complimentary solution to help fighting against the epidemic.
