GSK and Vir Biotechnology to supply EU with Covid-19 treatment

GlaxoSmithKline has inked a joint procurement deal with Brussels for its Covid-19 treatment Sotrovimab together with its partner Vir Biotechnology.

Under the terms of the agreement, the companies will supply the European Union with up to 220,000 doses of its experimental treatment.

Sotrovimab is aimed at adults and adolescents, aged 12 years and over, not requiring oxygen supplementation but who are at risk of developing severe forms of the disease.

Commenting on the news, GSK senior vice president, George Katzourakis, said the present deal was "crucial" as the pandemic continues evolving with an "urgent" need for treatment options.

Results from the firms' third phase clinical trial, which were published in June, had shown a 79% decrease in hospitalisations and deaths by Day 29 in comparison to placebo.