COVID-19

Neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 before it can even enter its host cell.

Infection by SARS-CoV-2, the causing agent of COVID-19, strictly depends on the interaction of the Spike protein with cellular receptors, most notably ACE2. Interfering with this interaction represents an important opportunity for therapy and prevention. We have developed nanobodies from alpacas immunized with the Spike protein. We found these nanobodies against the receptor binding domain of Spike to neutralize the virus at low picomolar (i.e. <µg/l) concentrations, revealing extraordinary potency. We have further optimized these nanobodies regarding stability, biological half-life, and large-scale production. We are now aiming at broadly active compounds that neutralize even mutants of SARS-CoV-2 and possible future SARS strains, based on their interactions with conserved Spike domains.