A Potent SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Single-domain Antibody (SdAb) Shows Therapeutic Efficacy in the Syrian Golden Hamster Model of COVID-19

SARS-CoV-2 is a highly contagious and pathogenic coronavirus that causes a pandemic of the acute respiratory disease known as COVID-19 and threatens human health and public safety. Research has shown that neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 is one of the most effective treatments for COVID-19. Compared with traditional antibodies, single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) have small molecular weight and high hydrophilicity, which can bind epitopes that traditional antibodies cannot. At the same time, single-domain antibodies have higher tissue penetration and stability, and are easier to be modified, optimized, and humanized. Meanwhile, they are suitable for large-scale industrial production. Due to the above characteristics, single-domain antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 will be of great significance for the treatment of COVID-19.

Creative Biolabs has invited Dr. James Naismith to walk us through the development of his novel SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing sdAbs and how his team has found a candidate demonstrating promising therapeutic efficacy in a hamster model of COVID-19.

The following key points will be discussed in this webinar:

• SdAbs which bind to SARS-CoV-2 have been identified from both naive library and llama challenge.

• SdAbs target two broad epitopes, highlighting the role of E484 in first-generation agents.

• It is possible to make two formulations that showed potency in a hamster therapeutic model.