On Mar. 25, 2020, Vir Biotech announced announced that it has identified multiple human monoclonal antibody (mAb) development candidates that neutralize SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. To save time, Vir’s lead development candidate was transferred at-risk to WuXi Biologics and Biogen weeks earlier, and Vir anticipates that human trials can begin within 3-5 months.

The ability of this antibody to neutralize the SARS-CoV-2 live virus has been confirmed in two separate laboratories. The antibody binds to an epitope on SARS-CoV-2 that is shared with SARS-CoV-1 (also known as SARS), indicating that the epitope is highly conserved. Vir believed that the conservation of this epitope will make it more difficult for escape mutants to develop.

The lead development candidate was produced with and without the vaccinal mutation, and Vir intends to move both versions into human testing. In addition, Vir identified additional antibodies that bind to different sites, and therefore have the potential to be used in combination with the lead development candidate.