Vir Biotechnology to Begin Mid-to-Late Stage Trial of COVID-19 Treatment

Vir Biotechnology plans to launch a phase 2/3 trial this month of VIR-7831, a neutralizing monoclonal antibody for the treatment of COVID-19 patients.

Vir said it will study VIR-7831 for the treatment of early infections, hospitalized patients and the prevention of COVID-19. The antibody was shown to neutralize the SARS-CoV-2 virus in preclinical studies.

The California-based company believes the antibody could provide protection against the coronavirus for up to six months. Preliminary data from the phase 2/3 trial will be available before the end of the year.

Vir is also planning a separate phase 2 trial of another neutralizing antibody, VIR-7382, later this year. The drugmaker thinks that antibody may also function both as a treatment and as a prophylactic against the disease.

In addition, Vir plans to complete preclinical studies this year of VIR-2703, an antibody it developed in collaboration with Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. VIR-2703 is an inhaled small-interfering RNA (siRNA) antibody that may be able to prevent or treat a coronavirus infection. — Jordan Williams