Monoclonal Antibody Are Effective Against Delta Variant of SARS-CoV-2

Aug, 2021 - By WMR

A recent study has recently revealed that monoclonal antibody CT-P59 has antiviral potential against the delta variant of SARS-CoV-2.

The researchers in this study investigated the antiviral efficacy of CT-P59 against the emerging variants such as Delta, Kappa, and Epsilon of SARS-CoV-2. The researchers conducted the experiments in animals. These animals are infected with the delta variant of SARS-CoV-2. In this context, it is significant to mention that variants of SARS-CoV-2 belonging to the lineage B.1.617 have caused unprecedented infection in India recently. It is to be noted that the delta variant is responsible for higher infection and pathogenicity and owing to these characteristics of delta variant, the World Health Organization has recognized delta variant as a Variant of Concern. The delta variant has been reported from different countries such as the U.S., the U.K., and others. The L452R spike mutation of the delta variant is responsible for reducing the viral neutralization by vaccine-induced antibodies and therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. The researchers studied the antiviral ability, binding affinity, and neutralizing efficacy of monoclonal antibodies against the variants of SARS-CoV-2 such as delta, kappa, and epsilon. They found that the monoclonal antibody CT-P59 binds to the spike protein or S-protein of the coronavirus and blocks its interaction with the host cell entry receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2. They examined the therapeutic efficacy of monoclonal antibody CT-P59 in mice infected with the delta variant of SARS-CoV-2.

Taken together, the researchers revealed that the monoclonal antibody is effective against the original SARS-CoV-2 strain and new emerging variants despite relatively lower binding affinity. Importantly, CT-P59 reduced the viral replication in the lower respiratory tract of infected mice. The researchers recommended the use of CT-P59 in clinical setups to treat COVID-19 infected patients.