Neutralizing monoclonal antibodies targeting SARS-CoV-2 variants and related coronaviruses

This technology is a collection of monoclonal potent antibodies that target epitopes of SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses for COVID-19 prophylaxis and therapeutic applications.

Unmet Need: Broadly neutralizing antibodies targeting SARS-CoV-2 variants

The efficacy of current vaccines and monoclonal antibody therapeutics has been undermined by the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants carrying spike protein mutations that enable immune evasion, reducing the neutralization capacity of existing treatments. Therapies currently on the market that prevent and treat SARS-CoV-2 include antiviral treatments, monoclonal antibodies, and immunizations. As new variants of concern emerge, there is a critical need for antibody therapeutics that retain potency across diverse viral lineages, target multiple conserved epitopes, and can be deployed individually or in combination to maintain clinical efficacy.

The Technology: Potent, patient-derived broadly neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 targeted monoclonal antibodies

This technology describes six monoclonal antibodies with potent antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 (including multiple variants of concern) and three monoclonal antibodies with potent antiviral activity against other SARS-like coronaviruses. These antibodies were isolated from memory B cells of SARS-CoV-2–infected individuals (vaccinated and unvaccinated) selected for the strongest neutralizing activity, sequenced, and expressed in vitro to produce recombinant monoclonal antibodies with defined heavy and light chain amino acid sequences. Monoclonal antibodies were developed from the cloned sequences of these highly neutralizing B cells and expressed in vitro.

These antibodies have been validated in both pseudotyped and live virus assays in vitro to test neutralization against nine SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Applications:

• Diagnostic assay for SARS-CoV-2
• Treatment for COVID-19
• Research tool for coronavirus immunotherapy development
• Prophylaxis therapeutic for SARS-CoV-2

Advantages:

• Derived from patient memory B cells, selected for highest neutralization activity, sequence-defined
• Efficient neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro
• Compatible with multi-antibody cocktail therapies for enhanced breadth
• Targets multiple conserved regions of SARS-CoV-2 reducing escape risk

Lead Inventor:

David Da-i Ho, Ph.D.

Patent Information:

Patent Pending (US20240343781)

Related Publications:

• Iketani S, Liu L, Guo Y, Liu L, Chan JF, Huang Y, Wang M, Luo Y, Yu J, Chu H, Chik KK. “Antibody evasion properties of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineages” Nature. 2022 Mar 3; 604(7906): 553-556.

• Liu L, Iketani S, Guo Y, Chan JF, Wang M, Liu L, Luo Y, Chu H, Huang Y, Nair MS, Yu J. “Striking antibody evasion manifested by the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2” Nature. 2021 Dec 23; 602(7898): 676-681.

• Wang P, Nair MS, Liu L, Iketani S, Luo Y, Guo Y, Wang M, Yu J, Zhang B, Kwong PD, Graham BS. “Antibody resistance of SARS-CoV-2 variants B. 1.351 and B. 1.1. 7” Nature. 2021 May; 593(7857): 130-135.

Tech Ventures Reference:

• IR CU22012

• Licensing Contact: Kristin Neuman