Is This a Candidate Antibody for the Virus?

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 that broke cover in Wuhan China, set off a research chain reverberating around the world. Now, Nature Communications reports an international research cooperation may have cracked the code. Authoritative sources including Bloomberg are already asking is this a candidate antibody for the virus? We don’t want to raise false hopes, but this could be one to watch.

Is This New Blood Protein a Candidate Antibody for the Virus?

Biochemists build monoclonal antibodies from identical immune cells that are clones of the same parent cell. Thus, these laboratory-created proteins resemble naturally-occurring versions of what our bodies produce to repel bacteria and viruses.

The international research cooperation has apparently produced a new monoclonal antibody 47D11. This is able to defeat coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 under laboratory conditions. Thus, this candidate antibody for the virus may be an exciting, albeit tentative step forward. A strategy to treat patients and moreover help limit the pandemic spread.

Animation of How Coronavirus Attacks a Human

They Have Neutralized the Virus in Cell Cultures Including SARS

However, this is still early days for what we hope becomes a miracle for us all. Therefore, much work is necessary before we can even dream of animal and human trials. We understand the new antibody targets the spike protein creating the characteristic coronavirus crown shape.

Moreover, it has potential to treat all virus strains of this type. In fact, it already defeated the SARS Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in the laboratory. That being the case, we may have passed the point of asking is this a candidate antibody for the virus. Perhaps we should rather say ‘let’s get to the next stage soon’.

Monoclonal biochemistry has made successful inroads into cancer treatment. There are also two prototypes for Ebola. Several companies are pushing hard to apply the technology to the Covid-19 epidemic. Don’t allow this fresh hope to tempt you to drop your guard. Because we must continue face-masking, hand washing, and social-distancing as before.