Monoclonal Antibody News and Research

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Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) are produced from a single B cell clone and can bind to a single type of antigen binding site. MAbs are homogenous antibodies that cannot form lattices with monomeric proteins as they can bind to only a single epitope on the antigen. Developed in the 1970s, MAbs can be produced against any given substance. Thus they can be used to detect and purify any substance of interest. This has made MAbs a powerful tool of molecular biology, biochemistry, and medicine.

Clinical trial of monoclonal antibody for treating respiratory disease in COVID-19 patients begins

A clinical trial testing the safety and efficacy of an investigational monoclonal antibody for treating people who are hospitalized with respiratory disease and low blood oxygen due to infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has begun.

13 Apr 2021

Researchers identify several novel SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors

Researchers in London, UK, have identified several compounds with SARS-CoV-2 inhibiting properties, that potentially may be developed into antiviral solutions in the future.

9 Apr 2021

Researchers discover a new monoclonal antibody that is effective against SARS-CoV-2 variants

A new monoclonal antibody targets a particular region of the RBD on the SARS-CoV-2. This region is usually not accessible to immune cells, which may be why it has broad neutralizing capabilities.

9 Apr 2021

Bispecific antibodies neutralize SARS-CoV-2 and its variants

A new bioRxiv preprint study led by Joshua Tan from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, involves generating bispecific antibodies using a new method cross-linking the antibodies with adjacent spike proteins using dual N-terminal domain/receptor binding domain specificity.

7 Apr 2021

Evidence of monoclonal antibodies effectively neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 variants

Makdasi et al. The neutralization potency of anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic human monoclonal antibodies is retained against novel viral variants. bioRxiv, 2021. doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.04.01.438035, https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.04.01.438035v2

7 Apr 2021

RNA-binding cylinders inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro

Research led by Michael J. Hannon from the University of Birmingham, UK, finds metallo-supramolecular helicates (cylinders) binding to untranslated regions of SARS-CoV-2 suppresses viral replication. The untranslated regions (UTR) of the viral genome could serve as drug targets for antiviral treatment.

5 Apr 2021

Researchers evaluate antibodies that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 RBD variants with a novel assay

A team of researchers recently discussed the potential role of a new assay in bridging a major gap in SARS-CoV-2 research. This assay can throw light on 1) the selection of complementary monoclonal antibody candidates and 2) rapid identification of the immune escape to emerging RBD variants following vaccination or natural infection.

31 Mar 2021

Infliximab may hinder the effectiveness of some COVID-19 vaccines

A new study reports reduced vaccine efficacy following the use of a single COVID-19 vaccine dose in people who are on the immunosuppressive monoclonal antibody Infliximab.

31 Mar 2021

Vaccine-induced 2C08 antibody protects against SARS-CoV-2 variants

A new preprint study posted to the bioRxiv* server led by Ali H. Ellebedy from the Washington University School of Medicine found that the monoclonal antibody 2C08 produced by the Pfizer vaccine could help neutralize COVID-19 variants.

29 Mar 2021

Have scientists found SARS-CoV-2's Achilles' heel?

Have scientists uncovered the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Achille's heel? New preclinical research from Cell neutralizing antibodies targeting the N-terminal domain of the coronavirus could be a potential target for antibodies to bind and effectively neutralize SARS-CoV-2.

29 Mar 2021

mRNA vaccines and monoclonal antibodies protect against new NYC-B.1.526 variant

A new fast-spreading severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant called B.1.526 recently emerged in New York City and caused concerns for its potential to resist the immune system.

28 Mar 2021

Scientists share insights on operationalizing monoclonal antibody therapy for COVID-19

As evidence mounts supporting the use of monoclonal antibody treatment to reduce hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19, UPMC and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine physician-scientists are sharing the health system's experience administering the life-saving medication.

26 Mar 2021

Scientists estimate the amount of peanut protein that will elicit an allergic reaction

An estimated 6 million Americans may suffer from peanut allergies. Tiny amounts of peanut protein can lead to hives, itching, tingling in the mouth, shortness of breath or nausea within minutes.

26 Mar 2021

Study shows substantial benefit of combination therapy for advanced Marburg infections

A new study conducted at the Galveston National Laboratory at the The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston has shown substantial benefit to combining monoclonal antibodies and the antiviral remdesivir against advanced Marburg virus.

25 Mar 2021

Scientists develop new diagnostic procedure for pulmonary aspergillosis

Scientists have developed a pioneering new procedure that will help diagnose a potentially lethal fungal lung disease with greater speed and accuracy, and with less distress to the patient.

23 Mar 2021

SARS-CoV-2 variants with E484K mutation show mRNA vaccine-induced antibody evasion

A recent study found that the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine had limited efficacy in identifying mutated receptor-binding domains (RBDs) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein similar to the B.1.351 and P.1 variants.

18 Mar 2021

How resistant is the SARS-CoV-2 Brazilian variant to antibodies?

Researchers based at the University of Oxford, UK, have shown that the P.1 Brazilian variant of SARS-CoV-2 is less resistant to natural or vaccine acquired antibody responses than the B.1.351, South African, variant, despite sharing convergent mutations.

18 Mar 2021

Compromised immunity can allow SARS-CoV-2 to evade the immune system

The vast majority of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 clear the virus, but those with compromised immunity--such as individuals receiving immune-suppressive drugs for autoimmune diseases--can become chronically infected.

17 Mar 2021

New study tests how mutations in SARS-CoV-2 affect antibody neutralization

Using pseudoviruses with single amino acid substitutions, researchers found that mutations in SARS-CoV-2 reduce monoclonal antibody neutralization differently. However, convalescent sera samples did not lose neutralization potency many and were also effective against the B.1.1.7 (UK-derived) strain.

16 Mar 2021

Translational research results in promising combination therapeutic candidate for type 1 diabetes

Translational research led by scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) has resulted in a promising combination therapeutic candidate for adults with recent-onset type 1 diabetes.

9 Mar 2021