MTX-COVAB, a human-derived antibody with potent neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro and in a hamster model of COVID-19

Esslinger, Christoph; Schmitt, Simone; Weber, Marcel; Hillenbrand, Matthias; Seidenberg, Jemima; Zingg, Andreas; Townsend, Catherine; Eicher, Barbara; Rutkauskaite, Justina; Riese, Peggy; Guzman, Carlos Alberto; Fischer, Karsten

Fast track microfluidic screening of the antibody repertoires of 12 convalescent COVID-19 donors comprising 2.8mio antibodies yielded MTX-COVAB, a human-derived monoclonal antibody with low picomolar neutralization IC50 of SARS-CoV-2. COVAB neutralization potency is on par with the Regeneron cocktail as demonstrated in a comparative neutralization assay. MTX-COVAB shows strong efficacy in vivo and binds to all currently identified clinically relevant variants of SARS-CoV-2. MTX-COVAB completes GMP manufacturing by the end of this year and will be tested in the clinic in March 2021.