WuXi Biologics (HK: 2269) of Shanghai formed a collaboration with San Francisco's Vir Biotech (NSDQ: VIR) to develop mAbs that treat COVID-19. By examining people who survived the SARS infection, Vir used its technology to identify several mAbs that bind to SARS-CoV-2. It will test these molecules to see if they are effective treatments for COVID-19. WuXi, which will be in charge of developing and manufacturing any promising candidates, will have China rights to any approved treatments developed by the collaboration, while Vir will own rest-of-the-world commercialization rights.

Using its global facilities, WuXi will be responsible for cell-line development, process and formulation development, and initial manufacturing for clinical development.

“We are acutely aware of the importance of moving rapidly in response to COVID-19,” said George A. Scangos, PhD, CEO of Vir Biotechnology. “In the event that we are in a position to develop an antibody therapy, our agreement with WuXi Biologics enables us to accelerate advancement against this global threat.”

“Both WuXi Biologics and Vir felt the great urgency to develop antibodies to treat global patients provided they work in the clinic. Our state-of-the-art technology platform and robust global-quality supply network make us uniquely qualified in expediting the development and manufacturing of these potential treatments," commented Chris Chen, PhD, CEO of WuXi Biologics. "Once again WuXi Biologics is collaborating with global biotech companies such as Vir to expedite biologics development to benefit patients worldwide."

Vir's technology examines people who had unusually successful, natural immune responses to infectious diseases. Either they were not susceptible to the disease or they recovered from it. Its platform identifies rare antibodies from these survivors via direct pathogen neutralization and immune system stimulation. Vir engineers the fully human antibodies that it discovers to enhance their therapeutic potential.

So far, Vir has used its technology to identify antibodies for pathogens including Ebola (mAb114, currently in use in the Democratic Republic of Congo), hepatitis B virus, influenza A, malaria, and others.

By 2022, WuXi Biologics will have total estimated capacity to manufacture biologic product of 280,000 liters from plants in China, Ireland, Singapore and the US.

See our other articles on WuXi Biologics and Vir Pharma.

Disclosure: none.