GlaxoSmithKline and Vir Biotechnology have joined forces with researchers from the Universities of Liverpool and Southampton, who are leading an accelerated early phase trials platform to test new treatments for COVID-19. The two monoclonal antibody therapies, VIR-7831 and VIR-7832, will be given to patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 and have mild or moderate symptoms. Pre-clinical studies have already shown that these antibody therapies have promising results in combatting coronavirus infections. The hope is that, by conducting early phase human trials, the researchers will discover whether they could be an effective tool for treating patients with the COVID-19 in the future.

An experimental drug that could prevent Covid-19 patients from becoming seriously ill is being trialled in England.
The BBC’s Fergus Walsh spoke to two volunteers who are taking part in the trial at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.