Hong Kong - USA Collaboration Developing Monoclonal Antibody Treatments Against SARS-CoV-2

A San Francisco based biotechnology announced a development and manufacturing collaboration to produce human monoclonal antibodies for the potential treatment of COVID-19, a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

Under the terms of the agreement announced on February 25, 2020, Vir Biotechnology, Inc. and WuXi Biologics will collaborate on the clinical development, manufacturing, and commercialization of Vir’s proprietary antibodies.

Vir has a robust method for capitalizing on unusually successful immune responses naturally occurring in people who are protected from or have recovered from, infectious diseases.

The Vir platform has been used to identify and develop antibodies for pathogens including Ebola (mAb114 currently in use in the Democratic Republic of Congo), hepatitis B virus, influenza A, malaria, and others.

Vir is conducting research to determine if its monoclonal antibodies, or additional antibodies that it may be able to identify, can be effective as treatment and/or prophylaxis against SARS-CoV-2.

These antibodies were isolated from individuals who had survived a previous Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) infection.

If the Vir antibodies receive regulatory approvals, WuXi Biologics has the rights to commercialize therapies in Greater China, and Vir has the rights to commercialize therapies in all other markets worldwide.

“We are acutely aware of the importance of moving rapidly in response to COVID-19,” said George A. Scangos, Ph.D., CEO of Vir Biotechnology, in a press release.

As part of this innovative collaboration, WuXi Biologics will conduct cell-line development, process and formulation development, and initial manufacturing for clinical development.

“Our state-of-the-art technology platform and robust global-quality supply network make us uniquely qualified in expediting the development and manufacturing of these potential treatments," commented Chris Chen, Ph.D., CEO of WuXi Biologics.

Vir Biotechnology is a clinical-stage immunology company focused on combining immunologic insights with cutting-edge technologies to treat and prevent serious infectious diseases. 

Please visit WuXi Biologics for more information.  

Coronavirus therapy and vaccine development news is published by Precision Vaccinations.