WHO recommends Eli Lilly, GSK-Vir’s drugs, widening COVID-19 treatment pool – Reuters

WHO recommends Eli Lilly, GSK-Vir’s drugs, widening COVID-19 treatment pool – Reuters

Jan 13 (Reuters) - A World Health Organization (WHO) panel recommended use of two drugs by Eli Lilly (LLY.N), and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK.L) and Vir Biotechnology (VIR.O) for COVID-19 patients, adding treatment options as the fast-spreading Omicron variant renders many ineffective.

WHO data shows Omicron, which is evading protection provided by many vaccines and therapies, has been identified in 149 countries. It is quickly replacing Delta as the dominant variant in several nations, forcing governments and scientists to bolster defences with testing, shots and therapies.

The panel on Thursday strongly recommended Lilly's baricitinib, sold under brand name Olumiant, for patients with severe COVID-19 in combination with corticosteroids, while conditionally endorsed GSK-Vir's antibody therapy for non-severe patients at the highest risk of hospitalization.