Chinese researchers partner with Brii Biosciences on promising anti-Covid-19 antibodies

Chinese scientists from Tsinghua University and the Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen have partnered with Brii Biosciences to develop and commercialize antibodies that can neutralize SARS-CoV-2, the virus at the root of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Among the 206 monoclonal antibodies the researchers isolated from blood samples of patients recovering from Covid-19, several antibodies were found to be "extremely effective" at blocking the ability of the novel coronavirus to enter cells.

The partnership aims to start first-in-human clinical trials in six months once a lead developmental candidate has been chosen. Teams at Tsinghua University and Third People's Hospital will test and screen suitable cell cultures, while Brii Biosciences will be responsible for developing the antibodies and managing the projects, including clinical and regulatory processes.