The agency said on Thursday that sotrovimab, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline and Vir Biotechnology, “is unlikely to be effective against the Omicron BA.2 subtype” and said the treatment showed “reduced activity” compared to the new subtype.
However, Health Canada says sotrovimab may still be used in patients with COVID-19 who test positive in previous Omicron variants.
“Current data show that sotrovimab continues to be effective against Omicron BA.1 and BA.1.1 sub-variants,” the agency said.  “Local epidemiology and individual exposure to variants should be considered before using sotrovimab.”
Sotrovimab was approved for pandemic emergency use last July to treat mild to moderate cases of COVID-19 in adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older who are at high risk of hospitalization or death.
The announcement comes a week after US Food and Drug Administration withdrew its treatment license due to growing cases of BA.2 subtype across the country.
Provincial health authorities have already withdrawn or discouraged treatment instead of recommending Paxlovid or Remdesivir.
The Ontario Science Board recommended that Sotrovimab not be used on April 1, and Alberta discontinued treatment Wednesday.  Saskatchewan also discontinued the use of sotrovimab on April 7 and BC.  recommends treatment only “as a last resort”.

title: “Covid Therapy Receives Treatment Failure Warning From Health Canada " ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-17” author: “Colin Davis”


The agency said on Thursday that sotrovimab, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline and Vir Biotechnology, “is unlikely to be effective against the Omicron BA.2 subtype” and said the treatment showed “reduced activity” compared to the new subtype.
However, Health Canada says sotrovimab may still be used in patients with COVID-19 who test positive in previous Omicron variants.
“Current data show that sotrovimab continues to be effective against Omicron BA.1 and BA.1.1 sub-variants,” the agency said.  “Local epidemiology and individual exposure to variants should be considered before using sotrovimab.”
Sotrovimab was approved for pandemic emergency use last July to treat mild to moderate cases of COVID-19 in adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older who are at high risk of hospitalization or death.
The announcement comes a week after US Food and Drug Administration withdrew its treatment license due to growing cases of BA.2 subtype across the country.
Provincial health authorities have already withdrawn or discouraged treatment instead of recommending Paxlovid or Remdesivir.
The Ontario Science Board recommended that Sotrovimab not be used on April 1, and Alberta discontinued treatment Wednesday.  Saskatchewan also discontinued the use of sotrovimab on April 7 and BC.  recommends treatment only “as a last resort”.