Benzinga | Sep 27, 2021 04:00PM EDT

Glaxo - Vir Biotech's COVID Treatment Approved In Japan

* Japan's health ministry expert committee has approved GlaxoSmithKline Plc (NYSE:GSK) - Vir Biotechnology Inc's (NASDAQ:VIR) sotrovimab, a COVID-19 antibody therapy.

* Related Link: GSK - Vir Biotech's Sotrovimab Reduces Hospitalization, Risk Of Death In Adult COVID-19 Patients.

* The approval covers patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 infection who do not require oxygen supplementation.

* With the committee's backing, the health ministry is expected to grant the fast track OK for the single-dose intravenous treatment, Japan Times reported.

* Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:REGN) and Roche Holdings AG's (OTC:RHHBY) monoclonal antibody treatment, Ronapreve, has already been approved in Japan.

* Sotrovimab was granted FDA Emergency Use Authorization in May for mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in those aged 12 years and above.

* Related: Vir Biotech Stock Jumps After FDA Emergency Use Approval COVID-19 Antibody Drug

* The Committee for Human Medicinal Products of the European Medicines Agency has also issued a positive opinion for the treatment targeting adults and adolescents at risk of progressing to severe COVID-19.

* Read Next: European Commission To Procure 220K Doses Of Glaxo-Vir Biotech's COVID-19 Antibody.

* Price Action: VIR stock is up 2.67% at $44.99, GSK stock is up 0.29% at $38.50 during the market session on the last check Monday.