WuXi Biologics and Vir Biotechnology announce mAbs development collaboration to treat COVID-19

Chinese CDMO WuXi Biologics has linked up with San Francisco biotech firm Vir Biotechnology to develop and manufacture human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to potentially treat coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the two firms said Tuesday.

WuXi will conduct cell-line development, process and formulation development, and initial manufacturing for clinical development.

Upon regulatory approval, WuXi would have the rights to commercialize therapies in Greater China, while Vir would have the rights in all other markets worldwide.

Vir has isolated and identified several monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from individuals who survived a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) infection and is conducting research to determine if they can be effective as a treatment against SARS-CoV-2.

“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,” said Chris Chen, CEO of WuXi Biologics.

“We are acutely aware of the importance of moving rapidly in response to COVID-19,” said George Scangos, CEO of Vir. “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.”

Monoclonal antibodies are made by identical immune cells that are all clones of a unique parent cell.