Manufactured Antibodies Seen To Alter Course Of COVID-19

Leading scientists are advocating the use of manufactured antibodies to fight COVID-19. According to top U.S. infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci, the development of monoclonal antibodies that will target the new coronavirus is “almost a sure bet” against the pandemic.

With the coronavirus vaccine still unavailable, scientists believe that the next big COVID-19 treatment could come from antibodies specifically designed to attack the new coronavirus. These antibodies will recognize and lock onto the virus to prevent further infection, just as how biotech therapies used to fight cancer work.

While scientists have yet to discover the exact role of neutralizing antibodies in COVID-19 recovery, drug makers are confident that antibodies can help alter the course of the pandemic. “Antibodies can block infectivity, that is a fact,” said Regeneron Pharmaceuticals executive Christos Kyratsous.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals is currently testing a two-antibody cocktail that helps limit the ability of the virus. The result of the test is expected to arrive by late summer or early fall.

Kyratsous said that unlike vaccines that activate the body’s immune system, the impact of infused antibodies could eventually dissipate so they have yet to figure out how many doses they would require. “Protection will wane over time,” he said. “Dosing is something we don’t know yet.”

Despite that, drug makers believe that monoclonal antibodies can provide at least temporary protection from the virus, especially for people at most risk such as medical workers and the elderly. “In a prophylactic setting we think we may achieve coverage for up to six months,” said Vir Biotechnology chief medical officer Phil Pang.

Sorrento Therapeutics senior vice president Mark Brunswick also said that while the effect of the antibodies is temporary, it is instant. “The advantage of an antibody is that it is basically instant immunity,” he said.

Meanwhile, whether a single antibody will be enough to stop COVID-19 is still a debate among medical professionals. Some groups have already started human trials of dual-antibody combinations, while some are focusing on a one-antibody approach to the virus.