UAE's new Covid drug effective against various virus strains

Sotrovimab is a monoclonal antibody medication which is directed against the spike protein of Covid-19 virus.

Health authorities in the UAE have authorised the use of Sotrovimab, a monoclonal antibody medication to help keep high-risk Covid patients out of the hospital. This drug, developed by GlaxoSmithKline and Vir, is the third kind of antibody medication to have been approved for use in the UAE and is being touted as a highly effective new treatment.

“Sotrovimab is a monoclonal antibody medication which is directed against the spike protein of Covid-19 virus. Spike protein is needed for the virus to enter the host cell. Sotrovimab attaches to the spike protein and neutralises the virus by preventing the entry of virus into the host cell,” explains Dr Abhilash Ramachandran Nair, Specialist – Internal Medicine, Aster Hospital, Qusais.

Recent trials suggest the newly authorised drug has been able to neutralise various new variants of Covid-19 reported in the UK, South Africa, Brazil, California, New York, and India, says Dr Suha Alhetary, General Practitioner, Medcare Medical Centre Al Barsha.

“The safety and effectiveness of this investigational therapy is being evaluated for treatment of Covid-19. For now, Sotrovimab is not authorised for patients who are hospitalised due to Covid-19 or require oxygen therapy. Sotrovimab will be used for the treatment of mild to moderate Covid-19 in adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older weight at least 40kg),” says Dr. Suha Alhetary.

The results from the clinical trials look promising. “There is a reduction of 85 per cent in the risk of hospitalisation among people with mild Covid-19 disease who took Sotrovimab within the first five days of symptom onset, suggest trial results,” adds Dr Nair.

Sotrovimab is a single drug designed to mimic the antibodies that are generated naturally when the body’s immune system fights off the coronavirus and would work well for both vaccinated as well as non-vaccinated people.

“This drug would allow patients to fight the disease better and not develop severe symptoms. Both vaccinated and non-vaccinated are allowed to have this because even if the patient has antibodies protecting him already, this drug will further strengthen a body’s defence system,” said Dr Adel Al Sisi, CMO and Consultant ICU, Prime Hospital.