Swiss federal government reserves 2000 packs of a drug to treat COVID-19

Bern, 10.02.2022 - The Swiss federal government has signed a contract with GlaxoSmithKline AG to reserve a promising medication for treating COVID-19. This is the third contract of this type concluded with the company since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) has signed a contract for access to an additional 2,000 packs of the monoclonal antibody sotrovimab developed by GlaxoSmithKline in partnership with Vir Biotechnology. The antibody was developed by Humabs BioMed, a company based in Bellinzona, Canton Ticino. The monetary value of the contract is confidential.

Following two orders in 2021 for 3000 and 2000 packs respectively, this is the third contract with GlaxoSmithKline to reserve its COVID-19 drug. 

Sotrovimab was authorised temporarily on 14 January 2022 by Swissmedic under the name of Xevudy®. Clinical trials have shown that Xevudy® can protect infected people from a severe case of COVID-19. The federal government will cover the costs of outpatient treatments as long as they are not yet reimbursed by mandatory health insurance.


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