The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has withdrawn its authorization for GlaxoSmithKline plc's
Omicron variant BA.2 is a subvariant of the strain of COVID-19 that swept through the United States during the holiday travel season. The massive surge in infections was predicted to cause the virus to "burn itself out" by spreading too rapidly. While this is true to an extent, the BA.2 sub-variant is more transmissible and could reverse the decline in infections to some degree.
GSK's antibody drug being withdrawn from use leaves doctors with even less to treat patients. While GSK is currently testing its drug at higher doses against BA.2, it will likely need to seek emergency approval for widespread use in the U.S. However, the lack of medicine variety shouldn't be too severe of an obstacle given the lull in infections throughout the country.
Despite BA.2 having the potential to reverse the decrease in infections, many experts are optimistic that there won't be another massive surge akin to late last year. In addition to many Americans possessing better awareness of infection risks, immunity from vaccines and boosters remains relatively high. The FDA has also previously withdrawn authorization under much more pressing circumstances without any notable adverse effects.
Earlier this year, the FDA withdrew authorization for two other antibody cocktails manufactured by Eli Lilly & Company
