VOC (Variants of Concern)

From the last update of Starpharma on VOC

In commenting on the significance of these findings, internationally recognised microbiologist, Professor Philippe Gallay said:



“We are impressed with the rapid and potent virucidal and antiviral activity of SPL7013, and that it is highly active against the Alpha, Beta, and Gamma SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern that have emerged and recently dominated the pandemic. “It is particularly exciting to see a product with this level of virucidal activity, especially against these Variants of Concern that are much more transmissible than earlier SARS-CoV-2 strains. The latest data are consistent with our previous data showing robust antiviral and virucidal activity of astodrimer sodium against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro effects of SPL7013 against the US strain of SARS-CoV-2, and suggests a mechanism of action that is not impacted by mutations affecting the virus spike proteins.”



Looking forward to the Kappa and Delta findings. This could be a magic bullet against all variants of concern in the fight against covid-19



Variant of Concern

A variant for which there is evidence of an increase in transmissibility, more severe disease (e.g., increased hospitalizations or deaths), significant reduction in neutralization by antibodies generated during previous infection or vaccination, reduced effectiveness of treatments or vaccines, or diagnostic detection failures.
Possible attributes of a variant of concern:
In addition to the possible attributes of a variant of interest

• Evidence of impact on diagnostics, treatments, or vaccines
  • Widespread interference with diagnostic test targets
  • Evidence of substantially decreased susceptibility to one or more class of therapies
  • Evidence of significant decreased neutralization by antibodies generated during previous infection or vaccination
  • Evidence of reduced vaccine-induced protection from severe disease
• Evidence of increased transmissibility
• Evidence of increased disease severity

Variants of concern might require one or more appropriate public health actions, such as notification to WHO under the International Health Regulations, reporting to CDC, local or regional efforts to control spread, increased testing, or research to determine the effectiveness of vaccines and treatments against the variant. Based on the characteristics of the variant, additional considerations may include the development of new diagnostics or the modification of vaccines or treatments.
Current variants of concern in the United States that are being closely monitored and characterized by federal agencies are included in the table below. The table will be updated when a new variant of concern is identified.
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Selected Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern

B.1.1.7 (Pango lineageexternal icon)^a
Spike Protein Substitutions: 69del, 70del, 144del, (E484K*), (S494P*), N501Y, A570D, D614G, P681H, T716I, S982A, D1118H (K1191N*)
Name (Nextstrainexternal icon)^b: 20I/501Y.V1
WHO Label: Alpha
First Identified: United Kingdom
BEI Reference Isolate^c: NR-54000external icon
Attributes:

• ~50% increased transmission ⁵
• Potential increased severity based on hospitalizations and case fatality rates ⁶
• No impact on susceptibility to EUA monoclonal antibody treatments ^7,14
• Minimal impact on neutralization by convalescent and post-vaccination sera ^{8,9,10,11,12,13,19}

B.1.351 (Pango lineageexternal icon)^a
Spike Protein Substitutions: D80A, D215G, 241del, 242del, 243del, K417N, E484K, N501Y, D614G, A701V
Name (Nextstrainexternal icon)^b: 20H/501.V2
WHO Label: Beta
First Identified: South Africa
BEI Reference Isolate^c: NR-55282external icon
Attributes:

• ~50% increased transmission¹⁶
• Significantly reduced susceptibility to the combination of bamlanivimab and etesevimab monoclonal antibody treatment,⁷ but other EUA monoclonal antibody treatments are available ¹⁴
• Reduced neutralization by convalescent and post-vaccination sera ^{8,12,18,19,20}

B.1.427 (Pango lineageexternal icon)^a
Spike Protein Substitutions: L452R, D614G
Name (Nextstrainexternal icon)^b: 20C/S:452R
WHO Label: Epsilon
First Identified: United States-(California)
Attributes:

• ~20% increased transmission ²¹
• Modest decrease in susceptibility to the combination of bamlanivimab and etesevimab; however, the clinical implications of this decrease are not known.⁷ Alternative monoclonal antibody treatments are available.¹⁴
• Reduced neutralization by convalescent and post-vaccination sera ²¹

B.1.429 (Pango lineageexternal icon)^a
Spike Protein Substitutions: S13I, W152C, L452R, D614G
Name (Nextstrainexternal icon)^b: 20C/S:452R
WHO Label: Epsilon
First Identified: United States-(California)
Attributes:

• ~20% increased transmission ²¹
• Reduced susceptibility to the combination of bamlanivimab and etesevimab; however, the clinical implications of this decrease are not known.⁷ Alternative monoclonal antibody treatments are available.¹⁴
• Reduced neutralization by convalescent and post-vaccination sera ²¹

B.1.617.2 (Pango lineageexternal icon)^a
Spike Protein Substitutions: T19R, (G142D*), 156del, 157del, R158G, L452R, T478K, D614G, P681R, D950N
Name (Nextstrainexternal icon)^b: 20A/S:478K
WHO Label: Delta
First Identified: India
Attributes:

• Increased transmissibility²⁹
• Potential reduction in neutralization by some EUA monoclonal antibody treatments ^{7, 14}
• Potential reduction in neutralization by post-vaccination sera ²¹

P.1 (Pango lineageexternal icon)^a
Spike Protein Substitutions: L18F, T20N, P26S, D138Y, R190S, K417T, E484K, N501Y, D614G, H655Y, T1027I
Name (Nextstrainexternal icon)^b: 20J/501Y.V3
WHO Label: Gamma
First Identified: Japan/Brazil
BEI Reference Isolate^c: NR-54982external icon
Attributes:

• Significantly reduced susceptibility to the combination of bamlanivimab and etesevimab monoclonal antibody treatment,⁷ but other EUA monoclonal antibody treatments are available ¹⁴
• Reduced neutralization by convalescent and post-vaccination sera ¹⁵