New Covid-19 treatment drug available for use in Ireland

Ireland has agreed a supply deal for GlaxoSmithKline’s COVID-19 antibody treatment Xevudy (sotrovimab), reported The Irish Times.

The UK drugmaker and its partner Vir Biotechnology agreed a contract last year with the EU to supply up to 220,000 doses of Xevudy for use by member states.

It is authorised for use in over-12s with COVID-19 who do not need supplemental oxygen and who are at greater risk of developing severe illness.

In January, the Irish government agreed to spend €90 million on antiviral and monoclonal antibody treatments made by Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline and Merck & Co.