Researchers Discover Antibody that Blocks Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Cells

A group of researchers have identified a fully human monoclonal antibody that prevents the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus from infecting cultured cells, marking the initial step towards developing a fully human antibody to treat or prevent the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

The researchers at Utrecht University (Utrecht, the Netherlands), Erasmus Medical Center (Rotterdam, the Netherlands) and Harbour BioMed {(HBM) Cambridge, MA, USA} have published a paper titled, “A human monoclonal antibody blocking SARS-VoV-2 Infection” in Nature Communications. According to the researchers, the antibody binds to a domain that is conserved in both SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, explaining its ability to neutralize both viruses. Conventional therapeutic antibodies are first developed in other species and then must undergo additional work to ‘humanize’ them. The antibody was generated using Harbour BioMed’s H2L2 transgenic mouse technology.

“This cross-neutralizing feature of the antibody is very interesting and suggests it may have potential in mitigation of diseases caused by future-emerging related coronaviruses,” said Berend-Jan Bosch, PhD, Associate Professor, Research leader at Utrecht University, and co-lead author of the study.

“This discovery provides a strong foundation for additional research to characterize this antibody and begin development as a potential COVID-19 treatment,” said Frank Grosveld, PhD, co-lead author on the study, Academy Professor of Cell Biology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam and Founding Chief Scientific Officer at Harbour BioMed. “The antibody used in this work is ‘fully human,’ allowing development to proceed more rapidly and reducing the potential for immune-related side effects.”

“This is groundbreaking research,” said Dr. Jingsong Wang, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of HBM. “Much more work is needed to assess whether this antibody can protect or reduce the severity of disease in humans. We expect to advance development of the antibody with partners. We believe our technology can contribute to addressing this most urgent public health need and we are pursuing several other research avenues.”

Related Links:
Utrecht University
Erasmus Medical Center
Harbour BioMed