A small preliminary laboratory study has shown that levels of Omicron-neutralizing antibodies of people vaccinated with Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine did not decline as much as those who had Pfizer shots.
When used in children, rapid antigen tests for detecting the coronavirus do not meet accuracy criteria set by the World Health Organization and U.S. and UK device regulators, according to researchers who reviewed 17 studies of the tests. Other research appears to confirm smaller, earlier studies that suggested nursing mothers are unlikely to transmit the coronavirus in breastmilk.
GSK and Vir Biotechnology said on January 13 they are seeking an expansion to the U.S. approval of their antibody-based COVID-19 treatment to include an option for the therapy to be given as a shot in the arm.
Bethesda, Md.-based Revelar Biotherapeutics and Twist Bioscience from South San Francisco announced their bispecific antibody, RBT-0813, neutralizes both the Omicron and Delta variants of SARS-CoV-2 in studies with the live virus.
A fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine boosts antibodies five-fold a week after the shot is administered, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said on January 4, citing preliminary findings of an Israeli study.
Shares of Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals plunged in premarket trading on December 28 after the company announced its Phase III Covid-19 monoclonal antibody mavrilimumab failed to hit the study’s primary endpoint.
Evidence emerging from lab experiments reveals weaknesses of vaccines and antibody drugs against the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. Additionally, a new study considers why COVID-19 patients on mechanical ventilators have trouble breathing and how refining a common treatment could help save lives.
German researchers found that COVID-19 therapies developed by Eli Lilly and Regeneron lose most of their effectiveness when exposed in laboratory tests to the Omicron variant of coronavirus, likely reducing treatment options if the new variant prevails.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on December 3 authorized the use of Eli Lilly’s Covid-19 dual-antibody therapy in treating mild to moderate symptoms in all children, including newborns, who are at risk of severe illness.
Laboratory analysis of the antibody-based Covid-19 therapy GlaxoSmithKline is developing with U.S. partner Vir Biotechnology indicated the drug is effective against the new Omicron variant, the British drugmaker said on December 2.
