GlaxoSmithKline and Vir Biotechnology Inc. stated on Thursday that they are looking for an expansion to the United States approval of their antibody-based COVID-19 treatment to include the option of intramuscular injection.

The drug in question, sotrovimab, was authorized for intravenous infusion in the US in May to prevent mild to moderate cases of COVID-19 from intensifying. Tests have indicated the drug is efficient against the new Omicron variant.

The companies highlighted that the called-for method of intramuscular injection was shown to work just as well as the standard infusion. It is also more convenient since it can be administered by family doctors.