Human broadly neutralizing antibodies could provide immunity against COVID-19 variants

Editor's Note

In this French study, two human broadly neutralizing antibodies show promise in providing long-acting immunity against COVID-19 in immunocompromised patients. The antibodies were effective against all COVID-19 variants tested and could be used alone or in an antibody cocktail.

Researchers examined 102 spike monoclonal antibodies cloned from IgA and IgG memory B cells of 10 patients who had recovered from COVID-19.

Antibodies Cv2.1169 IgA and Cv2.3194 IgG were the only two to neutralize all COVID-19 variants, in vitro, including Omicron BA.1 and BA.2, and they were fully active against Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta.

A modified version of Cv2.1169 IgA (via J-chain dimerization) also was effective, in vivo, in mice and hamsters infected with COVID-19.

Long-acting versions of these broadly neutralizing antibodies with extended half-life could be used to provide protective immunity in immunocompromised patients, the researchers say. Clinical trials in humans are expected to start mid-2022.