The Omicron variant of coronavirus is spreading rapidly, and it appears as if some of the medical options available for treating those infected with the disease seem to be becoming less effective. The Omicron variant is resistant against many of the antibody-based medicines that have already been approved and have proven to be highly effective against earlier variants of the virus. This is the conclusion reached by a team of researchers including scientists from FAU. The researchers also confirmed that vaccinations are less effective against the new virus variant and that the antibodies generated by those who have recovered from the virus are also slower to react to Omicron. However, the study clearly indicates that vaccination does help and that the booster significantly increases protection against the Omicron variant as well.
The most important, and most dramatic, conclusion reached by the study is that most of the therapeutic antibodies approved for treating Covid-19 are not effective against the Omicron variant.
Currently, combinations of the antibodies casirivimab and imdevimab as well as etesevimab and bamlanivimab are often used to treat Covid-19. Tests conducted by the team, however, indicated that these antibodies are largely ineffectual in treating Omicron. Only one of the tested antibodies, sotrovimab, was effective at inhibiting the Omicron spike. The researchers have come to the conclusion that this drug may now become a significant component in the treatment of individuals infected with the Omicron variant.
Unfortunately, the same also applies to those who are vaccinated or have recovered from the vaccine: antibodies that were highly effective against earlier variants of Covid-19 are less effective at inhibiting the Omicron variant. The results of this recent study confirm the results of earlier international investigations into the Omicron mutation.
https://www.fau.eu/2022/01/12/news/research/omicron-variant-largely-resistant-to-anti-viral-medication/