More than a hundred companies around the world are conducting trials for the COVID-19 vaccine. Now, the University of Pittsburgh scientists have found a biomolecule that completely neutralizes the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid in humans.
This antibody component, which is 10 times smaller than a full-sized antibody, has been used to construct a drug, known as Ab8, for potential use as a curative and preventive against the virus.
"Ab8 not only has potential as therapy for COVID-19, but it also could be used to keep people from getting SARS-CoV-2 infections," said John Mellors, co-author of the study and chief of the Division of Infectious Disease at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and Pitt.
"Antibodies of larger size have worked against other contagious diseases and have been well-tolerated, giving us hope that it could be a useful treatment for patients with coronavirus and for protection of those who have never had the infection and are not immune," he added.
This antibody component, which is 10 times smaller than a full-sized antibody, has been used to construct a drug, known as Ab8, for potential use as a curative and preventive against the virus.
"Ab8 not only has potential as therapy for COVID-19, but it also could be used to keep people from getting SARS-CoV-2 infections," said John Mellors, co-author of the study and chief of the Division of Infectious Disease at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and Pitt.
"Antibodies of larger size have worked against other contagious diseases and have been well-tolerated, giving us hope that it could be a useful treatment for patients with coronavirus and for protection of those who have never had the infection and are not immune," he added.