Canada Authorizes Advanced COVID-19 Antibody Treatment

Health Canada announced today it had Authorized Vir Biotechnology and GSK's sotrovimab as a treatment for mild to moderate Covid19 for patients at high risk of progressing to hospitalization and/or death.

Sotrovimab (VIR-7831, GSK4182136) is a fully human anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody selected based on its potential to neutralize the virus in vitro, kill infected cells, provide a barrier to resistance, and achieve high concentrations in human lungs.

Previously, GSK and Vir Biotechnology announced on July 28, 2021, they have signed a Joint Procurement Agreement with the European Commission to supply up to 220,000 doses of sotrovimab.

And the U.S. National Institutes of Health updated its COVID-19 treatment guidelines on July 8, 2021, to recommend sotrovimab for non-hospitalized patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk of clinical progression and noted that sotrovimab appears to retain activity against current variants of concern and interest.

Health Canada publishes Advisories when it has important updates or other information to share about the product, such as information on new approvals, shortages, labeling updates, or risks.