China has announced the development of a new treatment for Covid-19. The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has granted emergency approval to the registration application of two COVID-19 medicines, BRII-196 and BRII-198. According to the NMPA, the two medicines are used in combination to treat adult and adolescent patients with mild and moderate symptoms and with severe risk factors for progression. The medicines are conditionally approved for adolescents aged 12 to 17 with a bodyweight greater than 40 kg. The results of the phase 3 studies of the treatment provided an 80% reduction in hospitalization, and death rates for high-risk patients, Brii Biosciences stated.
Brii Financial Affairs Manager Li Ankang said that the research on how the Omicron mutation will affect the treatment is ongoing and the results will be available within 2 weeks. “We will collaborate with potential partners for use in regions other than China and the US,” Ankang added. Priority will be given to countries that have begun phase 3 drug trials, such as South Africa, Brazil and Mexico. Prior to approval, the drug was used in around 900 patients in China.