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Novel SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies identified

IONTAS and FairJourney Biologics have announced the identification of neutralising antibodies, which bind to multiple emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.

The results, generated from a combination of phage display technology and B-cell receptor repertoire sequencing of hospitalised COVID-19 patients, have identified potent neutralising antibodies with distinct mechanisms of action. Based on this approach, the Company has developed a panel of therapeutic candidates. 

SARS-CoV-2 virus enters the body as a result of the viral spike protein binding to the ACE2 protein on the surface of lung cells. This interaction is driven by a small region of the spike protein and the majority of antibodies currently undergoing clinical trial bind to this site. However, this site has changed in some of the emerging viral variants, reducing or abolishing the effect of some clinical candidates. Drug candidate antibodies developed by IONTAS to this site have been shown to retain binding to the emerging variants. 

An alternative approach for tackling variants is to target alternative regions of the virus that have a greater degree of conservation, making escape variants less likely. GSK/VIR Biotechnology recently announced a successful Phase 3 trial of such an antibody, VIR-7831, which binds to a region of the spike protein that is highly conserved between SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-1. VIR-7831 has shown an 85% reduction in hospitalisation and death during the COMET-ICE clinical trial. The partnership is now seeking Emergency Use Authorisation in the USA and other regions. 

A subset of the IONTAS antibodies show a similar functionality to VIR-7831, by binding to sites conserved both in the recently emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants as well as to the more distantly related SARS-CoV-1 virus.

www.iontas.co.uk/

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Upcoming Events

Pathology Horizons 2024

MacDonald Bath Spa Hotel, Bath
18-20 April, 2024

Diagnostics North East Conference 2024

The Catalyst, Newcastle upon Tyne
19 April, 2024

ECCMID 2024 - European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Fira Gran Via, 08038 Barcelona, Spain
27-30 April 2024

British Society for Microbial Technology Annual Microbiology Conference

UK Health Security Agency, Colindale, London
2 May 2024

EQA Reports: Interpreting Key Information & Troubleshooting Tips

ONLINE - Zoom
Thursday 16th May 2024

Participants’ Meeting: UK NEQAS Immunology, Immunochemistry & Allergy

Sheffield Hallam University, City Campus, Howard Street, Sheffield
24th May 2024

Access the latest issue of Pathology In Practice on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

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