GSK to widen COVID-19 antibody treatment trial after safety clearance

Oct 6 (Reuters) - GlaxoSmithKline and partner Vir
Biotechnology will expand their trial of an experimental
antibody to treat COVID-19 after initial use by a group of
volunteers did not raise any safety concerns.

The two partners in August started testing the antibody on
early-stage COVID-19 patients, hoping to keep symptoms from
progressing.

Various firms are running tests in this promising class of
antiviral drugs to combat the pandemic.

After testing the drug on 20 U.S. participants for safety,
the trial will now expand as planned to 1,300 patients globally.

Half the participants will be randomly assigned to a control
group receiving a placebo.

Interim trial results may be available as early as the end
of 2020. Complete efficacy results are expected as early as
January or later in the first quarter of 2021.

(Reporting by Ludwig Burger; editing by Jason Neely)