By Joe Hoppe

GlaxoSmithKline PLC said Thursday that preclinical data shows its Sotrovimab antibody retains its effectiveness against key mutations found in the Omicron coronavirus variant.

The British pharmaceutical major said that the data was created through pseudo-virus testing of specific individual mutations found in the variant, and to date Sotrovimab has demonstrated persistent activity against all tested variants of concern and interest defined by the World Health Organization.

The company said it was now completing in vitro pseudo-virus testing to confirm Sotrovimab can neutralize a combination of all the Omicron mutations, and intends to provide an update by the end of 2021.

GlazoSmithKline said that the antibody was designed with Vir Biotechnology Inc. with a mutating virus in mind, and by targeting a highly conserved region of the spike protein that was less likely to mutate it hoped to address both the current coronavirus and future variants.

The antibody is authorized for emergency use in the U.S. and has received a positive opinion from E.U. bodies. It is also available in other global markets, including the U.K., Japan, Australia, Canada, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.

"Though early, these pre-clinical data support our long-held view on the potential for Sotrovimab to maintain its activity as the virus continues to mutate," Chief Scientific Officer Hal Barron said.

Write to Joe Hoppe at joseph.hoppe@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

12-02-21 0240ET