Researchers at Henry M. Jackson Foundation for Advancement of Military Medicine (HJF) and Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) have discovered new human and recombinant monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that show broad cross reactivity among coronavirus variants with potential applications in diagnostics and therapeutics for coronavirus.

Applications and Advantages

• Discovered antibodies can be used in diagnostic assays and as therapeutics for Coronavirus
• Ability to recognize a conserved region of coronavirus spike protein confers broad cross-reactivity to these antibodies
• Cross reactivity towards SARS CoV-1, SARS-CoV-2, and (MERS)-CoV among other variants
• Potential for development of next generation vaccines
• A cocktail of identified mAbs can be administered through intravenous injections or as a nasal spray

Innovation Description

Viruses constantly undergo changes through mutations, sometimes leading to emergence of new variants. While vaccines are currently available against SARS-CoV-2, there is a pressing need to develop therapeutics and vaccines for other emerging and future variants.

The newly discovered human and recombinant mAbs bind to the spike protein of various coronaviruses. This binding of mAbs prevents it from entering other cells, slowing down the infection and reducing the risk of hospitalization or death. Functional properties of the discovered mAbs include a) high affinity binding to spike proteins b) cross-reactivity among different variants, c) ability to bind one or more epitopes of spike proteins and d) ability to block and neutralize coronavirus variants.

Disclosed antibodies recognize a conserved region of the coronavirus spike protein, resulting in broad cross-reactivity against coronavirus variants including SARS-CoV-1, SARS-CoV-2 and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)-CoV, hCoV-HKU1, hCoV-OC43, hCoV-NL63 and/or hCoV-229E among others.

Research studies included epitope binding of antibodies, as well as neutralization activity assessment through the SARS-CoV-2 (IL 1/2020) lentivirus-based pseudotyped-virus (pSV) assay. Identified mAbs are useful for pharmaceutical use and can be administered intravenously or through nasal spray to patients.

Inventors

• Gina C. Donofrio, HJF
• Michael Nelson, M.D., WRAIR
• Shelly Krebs, Ph.D., HJF
• Modjarrad Kayvon, M.D. Ph.D., WRAIR
• Vincent Dussupt, Ph.D., HJF
• Samantha Townsley, Ph.D., HJF

Innovation Status

Mapping of the SARS-CoV-2 antibodies epitopes on their respective subdomains was performed. Neutralization curves of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was obtained in a pseudo typed-virus (PSV) neutralization assay.

Intellectual Property Status

Patent applications have been filed in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia.