TOKYO

Japan on Monday approved GlaxoSmithKline and and Vir Biotechnology’s Sotrovimab for treatment of patients with mild COVID-19 symptoms.

Japan’s Health Ministry authorized the use of the antibody treatment on the recommendation of a panel of experts.

Sotrovimab, which is administered intravenously, will be used for COVID-19 patients who do not require oxygen supplementation.

Clinical tests showed the drug reduces the risk of hospitalization and death by 79%.​​​​​​​