-=Vir Biotechnology (VIR) advances two potential drugs

Vir Biotechnology (VIR) said it selected two potential coronavirus treatments to send into clinical testing with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). Unlike a coronavirus vaccine, a treatment would help patients already sickened by Covid-19.

The company says it discovered an antibody in a patient who recovered from SARS in 2003 that could potentially neutralize SARS-CoV-2 — the new form of coronavirus — and related viruses.

"We believe (the antibody called) S309 likely covers the entire family of related coronaviruses, which suggests that, even as SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve, it may be quite challenging for it to become resistant t the neutralizing activity of 309," Vir Chief Scientific Officer Herbert Virgin said in a written statement.

A Phase 2 study will begin this summer, Vir spokeswoman Lindy Devereux said in an email. She noted the companies don't yet have a timeline on when results will be available.