Abclon Successfully Identifies COVID-19 Antibody Drug Candidate

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunseok Yoo] Antibody-based therapeutic specialist company Abclon announced on the 23rd that it has confirmed neutralizing activity that effectively inhibits infection of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) virus from antibody drug candidates derived through its proprietary human antibody library.

Abclon has derived and completed patent applications for multiple antibodies and affibodies (minimal unit proteins) that specifically bind to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), particularly the RBD (Receptor Binding Domain), which directly binds to the human receptor.

Abclon conducted COVID-19 virus neutralization tests through the Infection Center at Korea University College of Medicine. Among the initial 20 candidates, one drug candidate that most effectively neutralizes the COVID-19 virus alone and inhibits infection of target cells has been prioritized for focused development.

The COVID-19 virus is known to be RNA-based, making mutations easily occur. At least three variants have already been reported, and further increases are predicted in the future.

To address virus variants and achieve therapeutic effects applicable to a wide range of patients, Abclon is also developing bispecific antibodies in the form of affimabs (AffiMab) using affibodies alone or affibodies. An Abclon official stated, “To rapidly develop monotherapy, combination, or bispecific antibody therapeutics against the COVID-19 virus, virus neutralization tests are being conducted simultaneously and extensively at domestic and international institutions. In particular, the joint research conducted through the COVID-19 countermeasure consortium established by Sweden’s HPA (Human Protein Atlas) is significant in addressing virus variants prevalent on each continent.”

Abclon is actively pursuing an open innovation strategy, sharing the COVID-19 antibodies and affibodies it derived with domestic and international industry, academia, and research institutes to rapidly overcome COVID-19 infection.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.