A MAJOR drug being used in Bahrain to treat Covid-19 is effective against all mutations of the Omicron variant, according to a new study.
Sotrovimab – developed by UK’s GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and US firm Vir Biotechnology – also reduces the chances of hospitalisation and death in patients with mild to moderate Covid-19 symptoms by 79 per cent, the in-house trial by GSK revealed.
No serious adverse reactions were reported in the 24,000 people involved in the trial, the companies said.
Bahrain adopted Sotrovimab in June after global studies revealed its ability to develop monoclonal antibodies in Covid-19 patients with mild or moderate symptoms. The country also opened a first-of-its-kind specialised clinic at the Al Shamil Medical Centre to administer the drug.
Al Shamil Medical Centre to administer Sotrovimab in Bahrain
The new GSK study was highlighted by task force monitoring committee head Dr Manaf Al Qahtani who said, on Twitter, that results in Bahrain since June also validated the efficacy of Sotrovimab.
“Studies have shown that Sotrovimab is effective against the Omicron variant,” said Dr Al Qahtani.
“Over a period of seven months, the National Taskforce (to Combat Covid-19) was able to create a database of positive results showing the effectiveness of monoclonal antibody drugs.
“Bahrain is one of the first countries to use monoclonal antibodies within the therapeutic and preventive protocol, under the supervision of a specialised team.”
The BDF hospital microbiologist also highlighted studies on the effectiveness of booster jabs in resisting Omicron.
Meanwhile, several Bahrain-based medics welcomed the findings on Sotrovimab and said it revealed Bahrain’s ‘proactive approach’ in curbing the spread of Covid-19.
American Mission Hospital (AMH) pulmonologist Dr Chellaraja Chellasamy said Bahrain was well-prepared to tackle Omicron threat.
“The new variant is turning out to be less of a threat as days pass by,” he told the GDN.
“Omicron has the highest number of mutations for any type of coronavirus. However, according to the latest studies, the variant has similarities to a type of common cold virus.
“For now, strategies that can work in combating the new variant are two – completing three doses of vaccination, irrespective of prior infection and early recognition of mild symptoms and treatment with medications – antivirals like Molnupiravir or monoclonal antibodies like Sotrovimab.
“Bahrain has achieved very high vaccination rates and has the required medications and alert systems in place to tackle the Omicron variant.”
AMH chief executive Dr George Cheriyan also praised Bahrain’s strategies to eradicate the virus.
“Early trial results on Sotrovimab indicates that the drug along with vaccines holds promise in bringing this pandemic under control,” Dr Cheriyan said.
“Bahrain has followed the basic golden rules of controlling a pandemic by putting in place a robust track, trace and vaccinate policy.
“Despite having a low R0 number, we have not let our guard down by timely reminders on social distancing, vaccinating children and use of face masks indoors.
Measures
“Vaccines are freely available and the BewareApp is extremely user-friendly with all the information we need at the finger tips.”
Bahrain’s Covid-19 task force members last week allayed fears over the spread of Omicron, saying that measures are in place to tackle the variant.
The GDN reported in October that the country has been at the forefront in acquiring all approved medicines for the virus in line with global protocols. Merck pill Molnupiravir and Regn-Cov2, an artificial drug for prophylaxis, were adopted in August. Hydroxychloroquine, one of the earliest drugs to treat Covid-19, was approved in April last year.
raji@gdn.com.bh
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