UK approves new Covid treatment that could be effective against Omicron variant

2 December 2021, 10:27 | Updated: 2 December 2021, 10:36

The UK has approved a new Covid treatment, administered through intravenous infusion, which may be effective against the Omicron variant – though Sajid Javid cautioned studies are still needed to prove this.
The UK has approved a new Covid treatment, administered through intravenous infusion, which may be effective against the Omicron variant – though Sajid Javid cautioned studies are still needed to prove this. Picture: Alamy

By James Morris

A Covid treatment which manufacturers claim will be effective against the Omicron variant has been approved for use in the UK.

Xevudy, a monoclonal antibody, can now be used for people with mild to moderate Covid who are at high risk of developing severe disease, and is said to cut the risk of hospitalisation and death by 79 per cent.

And makers GlaxoSmithKline and Vir Biotechnology said pre-clinical data show the drug "retains activity against key mutations of the new Omicron Sars-CoV-2 variant".

George Scangos, chief executive of Vir, said the drug “was deliberately designed with a mutating virus in mind”.

However, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which approved the treatment for use, said in its announcement that it's “too early to know whether the Omicron variant has any impact on effectiveness, but the MHRA will work with the company to establish this”.

Caller reveals he sacked his anti-vax gardener

Health secretary Sajid Javid, responding to the regulator’s approval today, added “we'll closely monitor how effective Xevudy is against the Omicron variant and will work on deployment plans with the NHS”.

The government has ordered about 100,000 doses of the drug, which is administered by intravenous infusion.

It works by binding to the spike protein on the outside of the Covid virus. This in turn prevents the virus from attaching to and entering human cells, so it cannot replicate in the body.

Read more: Europe must consider mandatory vaccines, says EU chief Ursula Von der Leyen

Read more: Sajid Javid denies Boris Johnson broke Covid rules with No 10 Christmas party

The MHRA has said it should be given as soon as possible after infection, or within five days of symptoms starting.

It will be given to people with mild to moderate infection and at least one risk factor – such as obesity, being 60 or over, diabetes – for developing severe illness.

It comes as the government announced it has secured 114 million booster jabs in a major deal to "future proof" the fight against variants such as Omicron.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Exclusive
Humza Yousaf told LBC the UK could be "dragged into another war in the Middle East" based on 'dodgy intelligence and misinformation', drawing comparisons with the Iraq War.

Humza Yousaf warns UK 'may be dragged into war in the Middle East… based on dodgy intel’

Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu (hanging out here in 2024) will play doubles together at the US Open

Emma Raducanu details cute friendship with Carlos Alcaraz

.

LIVE: 'They don't know what the f**k they are doing': Trump furious at Israel and Iran over ceasefire violations

Spanish authorities are pursuing murder as a line of enquiry after bodies were found around the Balearic Islands.

Spanish police reveal they may never identify five shackled bodies washed up on beach - as four arrests made

The driver threw drinks up to passengers

Delivery rider hailed a hero for tossing drinks into stranded Thameslink train

Exclusive
Labour’s hold on Birmingham City Council is in doubt over the handling of bin strikes, unions have warned

Labour ‘set to lose control of Birmingham Council over bin strike,' union boss warns

James Whale has revealed he has just weeks left to live in a tragic update in his battle with terminal cancer.

Broadcaster James Whale reveals he has just weeks to live in heartbreaking cancer update

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House

'They don't know what the f**k they are doing': Everything Trump said in sweary rant

The Edge is one of the most recognisable faces in Irish rock... and is now Irish!

The Edge stuns U2 fans by becoming Irish citizen after 63 years

US President Donald Trump speaks to the press before boarding Marine One from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC

Donald Trump’s blistering F-word rant at Israel and Iran as he accuses both sides of violating ceasefire

A huge blaze has ripped through the Jaguar Land Rover manufacturing plant.

Serious fire at Jaguar Land Rover's car plant as 50 firefighters rush to scene

Giorgio Russo's famous sibling revealed as the bombshell enters the Love Island villa

Love Island 'bombshell' enters villa as famous footballing sibling revealed

Exclusive
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley takes part in Call the Commissioner, his live phone-in on LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast show

Sir Mark Rowley apologises to broadcaster Selina Scott after robbery, insisting petty crime down 18%

Exclusive
Colonel Philip Ingram warned LBC as protesters gathered near Downing Street over the weekend following the US airstrikes

American businesses in UK ‘at risk of Iranian terror’, as experts say regime will seek ‘package of revenge’ for airstrikes

Donald Trump and Iranian state television say a ceasefire in the war between Iran and Israel is now in place

Israel accuses Iran of violating ceasefire and vows to 'respond forcefully'

Exclusive
Sir Mark Rowley addressed Met Police criticism on Nick Ferrari at Breakfast.

Met chief brands Palestine Action an ‘organised criminal extremist group’ as he defends 'two-tier policing' claims