Researchers at Utrecht University and Erasmus Medical Center in the Netherlands, in alliance with China-based firm Harbour BioMed, have identified a fully human monoclonal antibody with activity against the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2.
According to the team, the antibody could prevent SARS-CoV-2 virus from infecting cultured cells.
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The Nature Communications journal published the findings.
The discovery could facilitate a fully human antibody for the treatment and prevention of Covid-19, the respiratory disease caused by SARS-CoV-2.
Utrecht University research leader Berend-Jan Bosch said: “This research builds on the work our groups have done in the past on antibodies targeting the SARS-CoV that emerged in 2002/2003.
“Using this collection of SARS-CoV antibodies, we identified an antibody that also neutralises infection of SARS-CoV-2 in cultured cells. Such a neutralising antibody has potential to alter the course of infection in the infected host, support virus clearance or protect an uninfected individual that is exposed to the virus.”
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By GlobalDataThe antibody allegedly attaches to a domain conserved in SARS-CoV-2, as well as SARS-CoV, indicating its neutralising activity against both viruses.
This mechanism could reduce diseases caused by any future-emerging related coronaviruses.
Harbour BioMed founding chief scientific officer Frank Grosveld said: “This discovery provides a strong foundation for additional research to characterise this antibody and begin development as a potential Covid-19 treatment.
“The antibody used in this work is ‘fully human,’ allowing development to proceed more rapidly and reducing the potential for immune-related side effects.”
Therapeutic antibodies are commonly developed in other species and then humanised. Harbour BioMed’s H2L2 transgenic mouse technology was leveraged to generate this anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody.
Researchers require further analysis to assess the antibody’s ability to protect or mitigate the severity of disease in humans.
