Vir Biotechnology continued to gain over 7% in morning trading after showing neutralizing activity against omicron.The company announced new preclinical data, published to the preprint server bioRxiv, demonstrating the impact of the significant antigenic shift of the new COVID-19 omicron variant (B.1.1.529).
A significant reduction in plasma neutralizing activity was observed against omicron in sera from vaccinated and convalescent individuals.
Researchers also tested the in vitro neutralizing activity of 44 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) (eight of which are currently authorized or approved).
Data demonstrate that sotrovimab and five other preclinical mAbs, developed by Vir in conjunction with GlaxoSmithKline plc (NYSE: GSK), retained their in vitro neutralizing activity against omicron.