Evotec to collaborate with Ology Bioservices on antibodies against Coronavirus
Antibodies were generated from convalescing COVID-19 patients
Evotec SE announced that its Seattle-based subsidiary Just – Evotec Biologics, Inc. has entered into a partnership with Ology Bioservices, Inc. (Ology Bio) for the evaluation and analytical characterisation of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. This work falls under a contract awarded to Ology Bio by the Department of Defense Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Enabling Biotechnologies (JPEO-CBRND-EB) to develop, and manufacture monoclonal antibodies for treatment and prevention of infections with SARS-CoV-2.
geralt, pixabay.com, CC0
This work is supported by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs with funding from the Defense Health Agency.
Under the terms of the agreement, Just – Evotec Biologics will act as a subcontractor to Ology Bio and utilise its in silico toolset to screen a panel of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies provided by Ology Bio that were generated from convalescing COVID-19 patients. Just – Evotec Biologics’ Abacus™ and analytical toolsets will help to filter these antibodies into a smaller set with predicted desirable characteristics for manufacturing and long term storage. Once the final antibody panel has been selected and produced at a small scale by Ology Bio, material will be sent to Just – Evotec Biologics for evaluation of biophysical properties and potential post-translational modifications.
Rapid evaluation of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody candidates will improve the quality of antibody therapeutics selected through this contract and provide confidence to proceed with large-scale manufacturing.
Dr Craig Johnstone, Chief Operating Officer of Evotec, comments: “Antibodies generated from convalescing patients do not necessarily translate into stable, manufacturable biotherapeutics. Applying our in silico approach Abacus™ to narrow down a large set of antibodies to the few candidates with the most preferable development characteristics significantly improves the likelihood of rapidly manufacturing high-quality biotherapeutics.”
“We are pleased to work with the highly innovative and professional scientific staff at Just – Evotec Biologics in our efforts to rapidly produce anti-COVID-19 antibody therapeutics,” says Ron Cobb, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer at Ology Bio.
No financial details of the agreement were disclosed.
Other news from the department business & finance
Most read news
More news from our other portals
See the theme worlds for related content
Topic world Antibodies
Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous
Topic world Antibodies
Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous
Last viewed contents
European Regulatory Committee Recommends Orphan Drug Status for GPC Biotech's Anticancer Monoclonal Antibody
More efficient biosolar cells modelled on nature - By combining light-collecting and photosynthesis proteins of different types, more energy can be produced
Artificial enzymes convert solar energy into hydrogen gas
A vaccine alternative protects mice against malaria - Vectored immunoprophylaxis injection triggers creation of antibodies that prevent malaria in 70 percent of mice
KU Leuven spin-off AstriVax raises € 30 million to build vaccine platform - AstriVax to develop novel vaccines that are easy to produce, have reduced cold chain requirements, and offer broad and long-lasting protection
Occludin protein plays key role in spread of coronavirus throughout body’s cells - Finding gives insight into how the virus spreads throughout the human body, may help development of antiviral drugs
Merck strengthens biorefineries of the future
More Brain Lesions in Senior Women than in Men of the Same Age - The Extent of Abnormalities in the Brain’s White Matter Grows Significantly After Menopause
Gene found to be crucial for formation of certain brain circuitry - Identified using new technique that can speed identification of genes, drug candidates
Affibody and Agilent Technologies to Develop Robust Protein Sample
The pangenome - key to new therapies - Genetic diversity opens up new ways to treat life-threatening diseases
