Vir Biotechnology and GSK have amended a 2020 research collaboration agreement, leaving Vir to advance next-gen COVID solutions independently or with other partners.
Back in April 2020, GSK and Vir entered into a collaboration to research and develop solutions for coronaviruses. As part of the deal, GSK paid $250 million to gain access to Vir’s proprietary monoclonal antibody platform technology to accelerate existing and identify new anti-viral antibodies that could be developed as therapeutic or preventive options. In 2021, the two expanded their collaboration to include the R&D of new therapies for influenza and other respiratory viruses.
Despite the amended deal, San Fran-based Vir and GSK will continue working to ensure ongoing access to sotrovimab, where authorized, and to develop new therapies for influenza and other respiratory diseases.
Sotrovimab was granted emergency use authorization by the U.S. FDA back in May 2021, but the agency later dropped the authorization in April 2022 as the new omicron sub-variant reduced the drug's effectiveness.
