Amid the increasing concern of the omicron variant
spreading across the EU countries, steps are being taken to control the spread
as well as prevent infections. To that end, the European Medicines Agency (EMA)
recommended Xevudy and Kineret be used to treat those who have the coronavirus.

The use of Kineret was specifically recommended for adult
patients who have contracted coronavirus and pneumonia. It comes in handy,
especially, if they require additional oxygen and stand the risk of respiratory
failure. The medicine acts as an immunosuppressor and is widely used to treat
inflammatory conditions in EU countries. In patients with COVID, Kineret is
expected to reduce the inflammation and lower the virus’ chances of damaging
the respiratory tract. This, in turn, prevents respiratory failure.

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At the same time, the committee also recommended using
Xevudy for the treatment of COVID-positive individuals, where the risk of a
severe infection is high. It is the third monoclonal antibody that has been
recommended for use in the EU. With rising COVID infection rates, monoclonal
antibodies are in very high demand. These are laboratory-made, and such virus-blocking antibodies successfully fight off infections.

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A study was conducted before the greenlighting
process. During this time, the committee considered data from 1,057 infected
patients who had at least one underlying condition, that’d put them at risk of more
severe affliction. Xevudy was shown to significantly bring down deaths and hospitalization.
Reportedly, 1% of patients remained hospitalized more than 24 hours, within 29
days of receiving treatment. Comparatively, in the group that received
placebos, 6% of patients remained hospitalized for over a day.

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Xevudy is developed by U.S. company Vir Biotechnology
Inc. as well as the Britain-based GlaxoSmithKline. Kineret comes from the Swedish
company Orphan Biovitrum. This recommendation will go to the European
Commission before final approval.