Brii Biosciences launches COVID-19 combo therapy in China

Sino-American company Brii Biosciences (HKG: 2137) announced the commercial launch of the amubarvimab/romlusevimab (previously BRII-196/BRII-198) combination, a long-acting COVID-19 neutralizing antibody therapy, in China. The firm’s shares leapt 11.5% to HK$11.00 on the news.

On July 7, the first commercial batch of the antibodies was released, marking an important milestone in the commercialization of the combination therapy.

The amubarvimab/romlusevimab combination was approved by China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in December 2021 for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients (age 12-17 weighing at least 40 kg) with mild and normal type of COVID-19 at high risk for progression to severe disease, including hospitalization or death. The indication of pediatric patients (age 12-17 weighing at least 40 kg) is under a conditional approval. In March this year, the National Health Commission of China added the amubarvimab/romlusevimab combination to its COVID-19 Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines (9th Pilot Edition) for the treatment of COVID-19.