Vir Biotechnology Announces New Research Describing the Structural Basis of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Immune Evasion and Receptor Engagement

–  Growing body of evidence validates Vir’s approach of targeting a highly conserved region of the spike protein –

– Together with recent pseudo- and live virus results, additional preclinical data reinforce sotrovimab retains in vitro neutralizing activity against all known variants of concern, including the highly divergent Omicron variant –

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vir Biotechnology, Inc. (Nasdaq: VIR) today announced new preclinical research published to the preprint server bioRxiv, describing the structural basis and magnitude by which the new SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) evades antibody mediated immunity, as well as its enhanced ability to bind to the human ACE-2 receptor. Data define the specific Omicron mutations and their detrimental impact on the binding of the majority of tested monoclonal antibody (mAbs) therapies that target the receptor binding motif of the spike protein, a region that is more prone to mutate1. Further, these data add to the growing body of evidence from recent pseudo- and live virus neutralization findings1,2 demonstrating that sotrovimab retains activity against the Omicron variant, as well as all tested variants of concern3. This study was conducted in close collaboration with David Veesler, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biochemistry, University of Washington & Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and members of his laboratory. Sotrovimab is an investigational SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing monoclonal antibody developed in partnership with GlaxoSmithKline for the early treatment of COVID-19.

“These data demonstrate the extraordinary speed and magnitude with which SARS-CoV-2 is mutating in response to threats to its continuation in humans,” said Herbert “Skip” Virgin, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice president of research and chief scientific officer for Vir Biotechnology. “At the same time that Omicron increased binding to its receptor by more than two-fold, it significantly evaded binding by the majority of authorized monoclonal antibodies. We are pleased to see that, as shown through pre-clinical data, sotrovimab continues to maintain activity against all tested variants of concern and interest, including Omicron, further validating our approach of targeting a highly conserved region of the spike protein.”

About sotrovimabSotrovimab is an investigational SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing monoclonal antibody. The antibody binds to an epitope on SARS-CoV-2 shared with SARS-CoV-1 (the virus that causes SARS), indicating that the epitope is highly conserved, which may make it more difficult for resistance to develop. Sotrovimab, which incorporates Xencor, Inc.’s Xtend™ technology, has also been designed to achieve high concentration in the lungs to ensure optimal penetration into airway tissues affected by SARS-CoV-2 and to have an extended half-life.

Preclinical data, published in bioRxiv, demonstrate that sotrovimab retains activity against all currently tested variants of concern and interest of the SARS-CoV-2 virus as defined by WHO, plus others, including but not limited to Delta (B.1.617.2), Delta Plus (AY.1 or AY.2), Mu (B.1.621) and Omicron (B.1.1.529).

About the sotrovimab clinical development program

• COMET-ICE: a Phase 3, multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigated an intravenous (IV) infusion of sotrovimab in adults with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 at high risk of progression to severe disease, who are not hospitalized and not requiring oxygen. The final COMET-ICE trial results in the full trial population of 1,057 participants demonstrated a 79% reduction (adjusted relative risk reduction) (p