On Feb. 22, 2021, Biohaven Pharmaceutical announced that a hyperimmune globulin mimic (HGM) developed with Biohaven’s proprietary MATE platform has demonstrated functional binding and neutralization of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including the strains known as the “English” and “South African” variants (also known as B.1.1.7 and B.1.351, respectively).

The preliminary experiments, conducted by Biohaven Labs and an academic collaborator demonstrated that BHV-1200 substantially reduced viral entry into cells. Accelerated development of the COVID-19 MATE program has been supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.