The drug, based on synthetic antibodies, is intended for people at risk of a serious form. It would be effective in the event of infection by the Omicron variant.
- In the European Union, five treatments are authorized.
- Xevudy is a curative treatment: it is effective in case of infection, but not in the prevention of the disease.
- Its use could vary according to “the state of scientific knowledge and the epidemiological context”.
There is now a new therapeutic option for Covid-19 and its variants. In France, the High Authority for Health has authorized a new drug: Xevudy. She announced it in a communicated, published on January 7th. This treatment is based on a molecule called sotrovimab, a monoclonal antibody. The HAS specifies that it has a double action “by preventing the virus from infecting new cells” and “by eliminating the cells already infected“.
#Communicated | HAS authorizes early access to a new curative treatment for #Covid19 ➡ sotrovimab, Xevudy® from GSK, intended for adults and adolescents aged 12 and over, infected with a risk of severe form.
???? https://t.co/ip71t2DPIE pic.twitter.com/3MD4dnnCQE– High Authority for Health (@HAS_sante) January 7, 2022
Who is this treatment for?
“This monoclonal antibody is indicated for adults and adolescents aged 12 years and over (and weighing more than 40 kg) infected with SARS-CoV-2 who do not require oxygen supplementation and who are at risk of developing a severe form. disease“, explains the HAS. It considers that the people at risk of a serious form are those aged 80 and over, patients with an immunity deficiency linked to a pathology or treatment and those at risk of complications for d Other reasons The authority states that the drug should be administered within five days of the onset of symptoms of the disease and is injected intravenously in hospital facilities.
How effective against the Omicron variant?
According to the HAS, the studies carried out on Xevudy have demonstrated a reduction in the risk of progression to a severe form of Covid-19, that is to say hospitalization for more than 24 hours or death, of around 80 % after treatment administration. For the time being, scientists believe that it could be effective against Omicron. “In vitro data suggest maintenance of neutralizing activity of sotrovimab when that of other available monoclonal antibodies decreases or even disappears“, indicates the HAS. The Ronapreve has a total loss of neutralizing activity against the new variant, Regkirona, not available in France, is not effective either, and Evusheld has a partial loss of effectiveness.
A complementary tool, which does not replace vaccination or barrier gestures
“HAS recalls that the implementation of monoclonal antibody treatments does not exempt patients from compliance with barrier measures and physical distancing in the context of the fight against Covid-19“, specifies the text. It emphasizes that Xevudy is not intended to be used as a substitute for vaccination against SARS-CoV-2.
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