Corona Virus Spike Protein-Targeting Antibodies and Use Thereof

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This patent discloses a set of antibodies that specifically bind to the spike (S) protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (the cause of COVID-19), particularly to domains such as RBD (receptor-binding domain), NTD (N-terminal domain), S1, S2, and the entire trimeric spike ectodomain. Some of these antibodies block the crucial interaction between the virus spike protein and the human ACE2 receptor, which the virus uses to enter cells. The described antibodies effectively neutralize SARS-CoV-2 in cell cultures and animal models, and the patent also covers hybridoma cell lines and expression vectors for producing these antibodies. Potential applications include both therapy and prevention of COVID-19, as well as diagnostic uses for detecting viral components.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Therapeutic treatment of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2, especially those at risk for severe disease.
• Prophylactic prevention (passive immunization) in high-risk populations such as immunocompromised individuals or unvaccinated persons.
• Development of antibody cocktails to increase efficacy and prevent development of resistant viral variants.
• Rapid-acting emergency intervention in outbreak situations before vaccines are effective or available.
• Diagnostic assays (e.g., antigen detection tests) to identify SARS-CoV-2 infection in clinical samples.
• Research tools for studying virus entry, infection mechanisms, and the immune response to SARS-CoV-2.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Direct neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 by blocking entry into human cells, reducing viral load and disease severity.
• Efficacious even against virus variants that may evade other antibody-based treatments or vaccines.
• Can be rapidly deployed for both treatment and temporary prevention (passive immunity), including use in individuals for whom vaccination is not possible or effective.
• Flexible formulation: can be delivered as purified protein, or via gene- or cell-based strategies (e.g., DNA/RNA vectors, cell lines).
• Enables both therapeutic and diagnostic applications, providing a versatile response to COVID-19 threats.
• Human or humanized antibody formats reduce the risk of immune reactions compared to animal-derived antibodies.

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Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

Antibodies that bind to the spike (S) protein of the new coronavirus CoV-2 are provided. Some of them bind to the N-terminal domain (NTD), the receptor-binding domain (RBD), the S2 domain, the S1 domain or the trimeric spike ectodomain. Some antibodies inhibit the binding of the CoV-2 spike protein to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE- 2). Preferably the antibodies neutralize and prevent CoV-2 infection of cells and animals. Also provided are hybridoma cell lines that produce, and most preferably, secrete into cell culture media the antibodies of the invention. Also provided are eukaryotic expression vectors that encode fully human CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies. The antibodies of the invention are useful for diagnosing and treating disorders associated with CoV-2 infections and for preventing symptoms of a CoV-2 infection as well as CoV-2 infection as such.