Shanghai Junshi Biosciences (HK: 1877) reported that a mAb targeting SARS-CoV-2 was able to neutralize the virus in preclinical tests. CB6, which was isolated from a recovered COVID-19 patient, was administered to rhesus macaques on days one and three after intratracheal infection and caused a decline in viral RNA levels measured by throat swabs. In animals treated before infection, viral RNA levels remained minimal or undetectable. The tests were conducted by the Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Science, Junshi's partner in the project, and the results were published in the journal Nature.

The article said viral levels in the placebo control group peaked at four days after infection.

Earlier this month, Junshi announced it would partner global rights for the therapy with Lilly (NYSE: LLY). Junshi will keep China rights to the candidate, while Lilly will develop the molecule for the rest of the world. Based on the data from the preclinical tests, the two companies plan to file INDs for the drug in China and the US in Q2 of 2020.

In histological evaluations of one animal from each group, prophylactically and therapeutically treated monkeys showed limited signs of lung damage, with lower levels of pulmonary edema, fibrosis and leukocyte infiltration than the control animal, which also showed signs of thrombosis in the pulmonary capillary lumen. The treated animals also had no sign of serious small bronchi or small pulmonary capillary lesions.

Established in 2012, Junshi Bio aims to develop first-in-class and best-in-class drugs through original innovation and translational medicine to provide patients with effective and affordable treatment options. Its R&D pipeline includes 21 drug candidates for cancer, metabolic diseases, autoimmune diseases, neurologic diseases, and infectious disease. With a combined 33,000L fermentation capacity in two GMP-facilities at Shanghai and Suzhou, Junshi has established the manufacturing infrastructure to support commercialization, though Lilly's manufacturing will be used for ex-China production.

See our other articles on Junshi and Lilly.

Disclosure: none.