(adds GSK comment, details)
BRUSSELS, July 28 (Reuters) - The European Union has signed
a contract with GlaxoSmithKline for the supply of up to
220,000 treatments of its investigational monoclonal antibody
therapy sotrovimab against COVID-19, it said on Wednesday.
The drug, which is being developed together with U.S. firm
Vir Biotechnology, can be used for the treatment of
high-risk coronavirus patients with mild symptoms who do not
require supplemental oxygen, the Commission said.
The deal is a boost to the GSK's work on potential
treatments for COVID-19 after the company played a limited role
in the development of vaccines. Rather than making its own
coronavirus shot, GSK has focused on supplying its booster to
other developers and has partnered with Sanofi to
develop a jab.
GSK confirmed the deal in a statement on Wednesday, saying
it represented "a crucial step forward for treating cases of
COVID-19" in Europe.
The drug is currently being assessed by the European
Medicines Agency (EMA) under a rolling review.
The contract has been signed by 16 of the 27 EU states,
which could buy the drug only after it is approved by EMA or by
national drug regulators.
(Reporting by Francesco Guarascio @fraguarascio and Jo Mason,
editing by Louise Heavens)