27th Jan 2021 13:06
(Alliance News) - GlaxoSmithKline PLC on Wednesday announced a collaboration with Eli Lilly & Co and California-based Vir Biotechnology Inc to evaluate a combination of two Covid-19 therapies in low-risk patients with a mild to moderate version of the disease.
Indiana-based pharmaceutical firm Lilly has expanded its ongoing Blaze-4 trial to study the administration of bamlanivimab at 700 milligrams with VIR-7831 at 500 milligrams. Both are antibodies that bind to different epitopes of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.
Already the first patient has been dosed with both antibodies in combination within the trial.
Bamlanivimab is a neutralising antibody directed against the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 designed
to block viral attachment and entry into human cells, thus neutralising the virus, designed by Eli Lilly and AbCellera.
Meanwhile, VIR-7831 is a dual-action monoclonal antibody that was selected for clinical development based on its potential to both block viral entry into healthy cells and clear infected cells, as well as its potential to provide a high barrier to resistance. This antibody is being advanced by Vir and GSK.
"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. Partnering with Lilly to study VIR-7831 with bamlanivimab will provide the scientific community with further data on the important role these therapies could play in reducing the impact of this devastating pandemic," said GSK Chief Scientific Officer Hal Barron.
Shares in the Brentford-based pharmaceutical giant were down 0.8% at 1,398.80 on Wednesday afternoon in London.
Also on Wednesday, GSK announced the signing of a product transfer agreement with PATH and Bharat Biotech for the malaria vaccine, RTS,S/AS01E.
PATH is a non-profit entity which has a goal of ending health inequity, while Bharat Biotech is a vaccine manufacturing biotechnology firm based in Hyderabad, India.
The agreement includes the transfer of manufacturing of the RTS,S antigen part of the vaccine as well as the granting of a licence on all rights pertaining to the vaccine to Bharat.
Meanwhile, GSK will keep the production of the adjuvant of the vaccine, which is AS01E and supply it to Bharat.
"With a child still dying of malaria every two minutes, helping secure the long-term future of the only vaccine available by working with an established leader like Bharat Biotech is vital for the continued fight against this devastating disease. GSK is delighted to sign this agreement with Bharat Biotech," said GSK Vaccine Chief Medical Officer Thomas Breuer.
By Dayo Laniyan; [email protected]
Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Related Shares:
Glaxosmithkline