Instead of vaccines – antibodies

New Powerful Antibody Protects against SARS-CoV-2 Better Than Vaccines

Svetlana Maslova, Hi-tech+

The new approach can provide not only effective treatment that blocks the replication of the virus in the body of patients, but also provide protection against COVID-19 for people who cannot be vaccinated. Preclinical experiments have shown complete protection against coronavirus.

The new antibody, discovered by a group of European scientists, was called the most powerful of the existing ones today. Special antiviral properties are provided due to the structure of the antibody, which binds to the spike protein SARS-CoV-2 in a place that usually does not undergo mutations, according to the website of the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne.

Article by Fenwick et al. A highly potent antibody effective against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern is published in the journal Cell Reports – VM.

The antibody blocks the binding of the spike protein to the ACE2 receptor, the main "entrance door" to cells. As a result, the virus replication process is disrupted, which prevents the spread of infection through the body.

Experiments on hamsters have shown that the antibody completely protected the animals even against the background of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in high concentrations.

From the point of view of prevention, protection against COVID-19 can be maintained for a period of 4-6 months. "These results are especially important for people who cannot be vaccinated or for those whose response to vaccination was low," the authors say. "These populations, as well as cancer patients, can be protected by injecting antibodies 2-3 times a year."

Meanwhile, the timing of the availability of the new drug is still disappointing — scientists announced the launch of clinical trials only at the end of 2022.

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