Chinese drug maker Innovent searching for anti-coronavirus antibodies

Innovent Biologics has entered the fray in the race to develop an effective treatment against Covid-19.

Innovent, like Brii, is working on antibodies identified in patients who have recovered from Covid-19 that can neutralize SARS-CoV-2. The Suzhou-based cancer drug manufacturer is better known for developing the PD-1 drug sintilimab.

"A Covid-19 vaccine, like that for flu, will not work for everyone all the time because the virus — currently in its sixth generation of existence — can mutate," Innovent Chairman Michael Yu told the South China Morning Post. "We still need a long-term cure, which will take a number of years, and we must go through all the steps."