Ronapreve, a monoclonal antibody treatment, is administered either by injection or infusion and acts to stop coronavirus from gaining access to the cells of the respiratory system.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the drug was the first designed specifically for treating Covid. “We are now working at pace with the NHS and expert clinicians to ensure this treatment can be rolled out to NHS patients as soon as possible.”

It comes as just two per cent of companies being investigated by the competition watchdog over the cost of PCR tests for travel have been removed from the government’s website.

Evening Standard