GSK/Vir Biotech's COVID-19 Antibody Associated With Resistance Mutations, New Research Shows

According to new research in Australia, some people have developed sotrovimab-resistant mutations following infusions with the GlaxoSmithKline Plc GSK and Vir Biotechnology Inc VIR monoclonal antibody with COVID-19 infection.
Data shows that the mutations have been associated with a reduction by a factor of 100 to 297 in neutralization by sotrovimab.
"These data show the persistence of viable SARS-CoV-2 in patients after sotrovimab infusions and the rapid development of spike gene mutations associated with high-level sotrovimab resistance in vitro," the researchers wrote in the New England Journal of Medicine.
These findings underscore the importance of stewardship of monoclonal antibodies, particularly because sotrovimab is one of the few monoclonal antibodies with retained activity against the omicron variant.
Read Next: AstraZeneca, GSK's COVID-19 Therapies Lose Efficacy Against Omicron's Subvariants.
Of the eight patients whose PCR tests "were persistently positive for SARS-CoV-2 and whom, respiratory tract specimens obtained before and after the use of sotrovimab were available,"
4 of 8 acquired previously defined mutations within 6 to 13 days after they received sotrovimab, the NEJM correspondence says.
Price Action: VIR shares are up 0.13% at $22.46, GSK shares are up 0.44% at $41.01 during the market session on the last check Friday.