Big breakthrough in potential treatment of SARS-CoV-2, US-based Sorrento Therapeutics claims it has found an antibody that completely blocks coronavirus. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that resulted in COVID-19 pandemic.
The company claims that it has found an antibody that completely neutralized the virus infectivity at a very low antibody dose. Labeled as STI-1499 antibody, it stopped Covid-19 from entering 100% of healthy human cells in their experiments.
According to the antibody-centric biopharmaceutical company, initial biochemical and biophysical analyses also signify STI-1499 to be a potentially strong antibody drug candidate.
Henry Ji, Chairman and CEO of Sorrento, said, “Our STI-1499 antibody shows exceptional therapeutic potential and could potentially save lives following receipt of necessary regulatory approvals,”
“We at Sorrento are working day and night to complete the steps necessary to get this product candidate approved and available to the waiting public.”
This antibody is one of several antibodies that Sorrento plans to combine for a drug ‘cocktail’. Sorrento plan is to use this antibody cocktail product as “protective shield” against SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection.
In a press release, Sorrento said it could produce up to 200,000 doses of the antibody a month. Company has already filed for emergency approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and is waiting to get the green signal.
Sorrento’s CEO, Dr Henry Ji, said, “We want to emphasize there is a cure. There is a solution that works 100 percent. If we have the neutralizing antibody in your body, you don’t need the social distancing. You can open up a society without fear.”
