Monoclonal Antibody Discovered to Potentially Act Against All Coronaviruses

University of Alabama researchers discovered a potent monoclonal antibody that could act as a universal coronavirus therapy for SARS-CoV-2 and all its variants of concern.

After screening the plasma from subjects recovered from COVID-19, the team found several promising antibodies that target the highly conserved stalk region of the viral spike protein (S) among beta-coronaviruses. The monoclonal antibody designated 1249A8 surfaced to be the most broad-spectrum, recognizing all human beta-coronavirus and neutralizing SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV.

“SARS-CoV-2 has caused the most infections and deaths worldwide. New variants pose the risk of evading the immune system, even in vaccinated and previously infected individuals, and there remains the potential for other genetically distinct coronaviruses to emerge as new pandemic strains in the future,” said co-author James J. Kobie.

Related article: Aridis Pharmaceuticals’ Antibody Shows Early Promise in the Fight Against COVID-19 

Antibody 1249A8 Could Guide Universal COVID-19 Vaccine’s Development

Besides 1249A8, the team also identified another human monoclonal antibody specific to the receptor-binding domain (S1) of SARS-CoV-2, named 1213H7. When these two antibodies are combined into a nasal therapeutics dose for hamsters, the therapy displayed synergistic activity in neutralizing coronaviruses SARS-CoV-2 Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, and Omicron variants.

The research suggested that by combining S2 and S1-targeting antibodies, the similarly powerful coronavirus neutralizing antibodies with therapeutic potential can be induced in humans and can inspire future coronavirus vaccine development.

While multiple SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain-specific antibodies have been approved for clinical use (such as casirivimab and imdevimab), several have been unable to neutralize variants of concern such as Omicron. Kobie’s team demonstrated the clear clinical potential of 1249A8 including in combination with 1213H7, and the value of direct nasal therapeutic delivery.

The researchers hope the discoveries will be the answer to SARS-CoV-2’s immune escape caused by frequent mutations, and are being developed into COVID-19 treatments by Aridis Pharmaceuticals into vaccines and self-administered inhaled formulation. Aridis is looking forward to starting its Phase 1 trial for the drug, AR-701 later this year.

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Fujie Tham