Jahnavi Sarma
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Written By: Jahnavi Sarma | Published : August 4, 2020 3:23 PM IST
Tests show disulfiram inhibits SARS-CoV-2 main protease in 100 nm concentration.
As the world awaits a COVID-19 vaccine, the next big advance in battling the pandemic could come from a class of biotech therapies widely used against cancer and other disorders - antibodies designed specifically to attack this new virus. Development of monoclonal antibodies to target the virus has been endorsed by leading scientists. Anthony Fauci, the top US infectious diseases expert, called them "almost a sure bet" against the current pandemic.
When a virus gets past the body's initial defenses, a more specific response kicks in, triggering production of cells that target the invader. These include antibodies that recognize and lock onto a virus, preventing the infection from spreading. Monoclonal antibodies - grown in bioreactor vats - are copies of these naturally-occurring proteins.
Scientists are still working out the exact role of neutralizing antibodies in recovery from COVID-19. But drug makers are confident that the right antibodies or a combination can alter the course of the disease that has claimed more than 675,000 lives globally. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals is testing a two-antibody cocktail, which it believes limits the ability of the virus' to escape better than one, with data on its efficacy expected by late summer or early fall. The company was recently awarded a $450 million supply contract by the US government. It is ready to start production at its US plant if regulators approve the treatment. However, researchers warn that protection will wane over time. Dosing is also something that they are not sure of yet.
Manufacturing these medicines is complex and capacity is limited. There is also a debate over whether a single antibody will be powerful enough to stop COVID-19. Safety risks for monoclonal antibodies are considered low, but their cost can be quite high. These type of drugs for cancer can cost over $100,000 a year. There is also concern that the coronavirus could become resistant to specific antibodies. Moreover, administering an antibody later on after infection might not be that helpful. But if given early, they may be quite effective.
Unlike vaccines, which activate the body's own immune system, the impact of infused antibodies eventually dissipates. Still, drug makers say monoclonal antibodies could temporarily prevent infection in at-risk people such as medical workers and the elderly. They could also be used as a therapeutic bridge until vaccines become widely available.
AstraZeneca said it plans to start human trials of its dual-antibody combination within weeks. Lilly, which began human testing in June of two antibody candidates in separate trials, is focusing on a one-drug approach. Vir Biotechnology aims to start testing an antibody in non-hospitalized patients next month with partner GSK and Sorrento Therapeutics is likely to begin human trials next month of a single antibody candidate.
(With inputs from Agencies)
