Vir Biotechnology Proceeding with Two Clinical Development Candidates for COVID-19

- Multiple antibodies identified that neutralize SARS-CoV-2
- Phase 1/2 clinical testing planned for this summer

SAN FRANCISCO, March 25, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vir Biotechnology, Inc. (Nasdaq: VIR) today announced that it has identified multiple human monoclonal antibody (mAb) development candidates that neutralize SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19.

“We are pleased with the rapidity of our progress and excited to move two development candidates into human testing as soon as possible,” said George Scangos, Ph.D., CEO, Vir. “Stopping this disease will take a combination of prevention and treatment approaches. At Vir, we are fortunate that our existing antibody platform gave us a running start against COVID-19, and we have the internal and partnered capabilities to work on multiple approaches.”

In an effort to save time, Vir’s lead development candidate was transferred at-risk to WuXi Biologics (stock code: 2269.HK) and Biogen Inc. (Nasdaq: BIIB) several weeks ago, and Vir anticipates that human trials can begin within 3-5 months. The ability of this antibody to neutralize the SARS-CoV-2 live virus has been confirmed in two separate laboratories. The antibody binds to an epitope on SARS-CoV-2 that is shared with SARS-CoV-1 (also known as SARS), indicating that the epitope is highly conserved. Vir believes that the conservation of this epitope will make it more difficult for escape mutants to develop.  

Vir has engineered the Fc region of our lead development candidate in the following ways:

1. A half-life extending alteration to potentially extend the time over which the antibody provides protection; and
    
2. A second alteration (“vaccinal” mutation) that increases short-term potency, and in animal models leads to the generation of protective CD8+ T cells that may provide long-term immunity. This alteration gives the antibody the potential to function prophylactically, therapeutically, and to be able to induce long-term immunity (i.e., to function both as a therapeutic and a vaccine). 

The lead development candidate is being produced with and without the vaccinal mutation, and Vir intends to move both versions into human testing. In addition, Vir has identified additional antibodies that bind to different sites, and therefore have the potential to be used in combination with the lead development candidate.