Monoclonal antibody manages not only to treat, but also to prevent the virus in preclinical models

Spanish researchers have developed a new monoclonal antibody, named 17T2, that is active against all existing variants of SARS-CoV-2, including the current omicron subvariants. The antibody was developed from blood samples of a patient infected with SARS–CoV-2 in March 2020. The researchers reproduced the antibodies that generated specific defenses against the spike protein of the virus. The 17T2 antibody was found to neutralize all variants of the virus, demonstrating both therapeutic and preventive activities. The research team also conducted a detailed analysis of the antibody’s structure, helping to understand how it maintains its neutralizing activity despite virus mutations. The research, backed by the Generalitat of Catalonia and partially funded by the #YoMeCorono campaign and Glòria Soler Foundation, has been published in «Nature Communications». However, a clinical trial in humans is needed before the treatment can be used on patients.