Researchers advance development of universal COVID-19 antibodies

A consortium of researchers from Texas Biomedical Research Institute (Texas Biomed), the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), and Columbia University has introduced a promising human monoclonal antibody potentially effective against all strains of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. This groundbreaking discovery advances the quest for a universal antibody cocktail to combat evolving coronavirus variants.

The newly developed antibody, named 1301B7, has shown efficacy against the original SARS-CoV-2 strain, the Omicron variant, and the SARS-CoV virus, indicating its potential to combat future variants. Dr. Luis Martinez-Sobrido, a Professor at Texas Biomed and co-lead author of the research, highlighted that this antibody could remain effective as the virus evolves. The research findings have been published as a preprint on BioRXiv.

Antibodies, integral to the human immune response, identify, bind to, and neutralize harmful pathogens like viruses. Human monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-engineered proteins that imitate natural antibodies, triggering the body to generate its antibodies. This enhanced immune response is critical in fighting illnesses such as COVID-19.

Existing antibody treatments have benefited many COVID-19 patients. However, as SARS-CoV-2 continues to mutate, some antibodies become ineffective because they can no longer bind to the virus. The newly designed 1301B7 antibody targets the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the virus's spike protein. This domain is crucial for the virus's ability to attach to and infect human cells. By targeting the RBD, the 1301B7 antibody can potentially block the virus's entry into cells.

Dr. James Kobie, an Associate Professor at UAB and co-lead author, explained that 1301B7 binds to multiple positions within the RBD. This broad binding ability allows the antibody to tolerate variations within the domain as the virus evolves. The detailed mechanism of this binding was elucidated by Dr. Mark Walter, a Professor at UAB and co-author of the study.

The antibody was designed based on samples isolated from patients infected with the Omicron variant. Researchers at Texas Biomed and Columbia University tested the antibody against various strains, including the original SARS-CoV-2 from China, Omicron JN.1, and SARS-CoV. In 2022, the team had described another monoclonal antibody targeting a different part of the spike protein called the stalk. The current research aims to explore the combined effect of these two antibodies, potentially providing a multi-faceted approach to neutralizing the virus.

Dr. Martinez-Sobrido emphasized the importance of combination therapies. He pointed out that a single antibody might not be sufficient, suggesting a strategy similar to treatments for diseases like Ebola and HIV, where multiple antibodies target different virus regions. The research team is also exploring the potential of developing these antibodies into a preventive vaccine. Such a vaccine could induce the production of antibodies like 1301B7, potentially eliminating the need for frequent vaccine updates.

The consortium has filed a provisional patent for the 1301B7 antibody and is working on licensing it for commercial use. The project received significant funding from the National Institutes of Health.

Texas Biomed, a nonprofit research institute, focuses on infectious disease discovery and development of diagnostics, therapies, and vaccines.

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