GlaxoSmithKline plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) and Vir Biotechnology, Inc. (Vir) (Nasdaq: VIR) announced headline data from the randomised, multi-centre, open-label COMET-TAIL Phase III trial, which achieved its primary endpoint, demonstrating intramuscular (IM) administration of sotrovimab was non-inferior to intravenous (IV) administration for the early treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in high-risk, non-hospitalised adults and adolescents (12 years of age and older).
The COMET-TAIL Phase III trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of sotrovimab delivered via IM administration compared to IV administration in high-risk patients up to seven days after symptom onset. In the IM administration (500mg) arm of the trial, there was a 2.7% rate of progression to hospitalisation for more than 24 hours or death through Day 29 of the trial, compared to 1.3% in the IV administration arm (also 500mg). The adjusted difference between the IM and IV arms of the trial was 1.07% with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of -1.25% to 3.39%. The upper bound of the 95% CI is within the predetermined 3.5% non-inferiority margin set for the trial’s primary endpoint in consultation with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
In addition, there were low rates of serious adverse events and Grade 3-4 adverse events (≤1% in both arms, for both measures) observed in the headline data.
The companies plan to progress regulatory submissions globally, including ongoing discussions with the FDA regarding the existing Emergency Use Authorization for sotrovimab.
Dr Hal Barron, Chief Scientific Officer and President, said: "I am pleased that today's results demonstrated similar efficacy for sotrovimab when injected directly into the muscle compared to administered intravenously, potentially offering a more convenient option for patients. We look forward to working with regulatory authorities to help make this new option available to appropriate patients with COVID-19."
George Scangos, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Vir, said: "This trial was conducted during the height of circulation of the Delta variant, with significant enrollment in Florida - a hot spot for this particular variant and where hospitalisation rates averaged more than 10 percent of confirmed cases. We designed sotrovimab to stand up to the variants that we anticipated would occur, and these data demonstrate that sotrovimab administered via IV or IM could prove important in the fight against COVID-19 following authorisation. As we approach the third year of the pandemic, we can expect that multiple treatment options will continue to be needed, particularly for high-risk patients with complex health needs."
Today's update follows announcements in the first half of 2021 regarding the COMET-ICE Phase III trial, which investigated IV infusion of sotrovimab in adults with mild or moderate COVID-19 at high-risk of progression to severe disease. The final COMET-ICE trial results in the full study population of 1057 participants, demonstrated a 79% reduction in hospitalisation and death at Day 29 vs placebo.
About sotrovimab
Sotrovimab is an investigational SARS-CoV-2 neutralising monoclonal antibody. The antibody binds to an epitope on SARS-CoV-2 that is 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’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.
Updated in vitro data, published in bioRxiv, demonstrate that sotrovimab retains activity against all current variants of concern and interest of the SARS-CoV-2 virus as defined by the World Health Organisation, plus others, including, but not limited to, Delta (B.1.617.2), Delta Plus (AY.1 or AY.2) and Mu (B.1.621).
About the sotrovimab clinical development programme
COMET-ICE: a Phase III, multi-centre, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigated intravenous (IV) infusion of sotrovimab in adults with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 at high-risk of progression to severe disease, who are not hospitalised a...
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