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Dutch researchers reported having identified a antibody that prevents the virus SARS-CoV-2cause of Covid-19, to infect cells. The discovery is the first step toward developing a potential treatment for the cure and prevention of the new coronavirus. The research was published this Monday (4/5) in the scientific journal. Nature’s Communications.
The study led by researchers from the University of Utrecht, Erasmus Medical Center and Harbor BioMed. According to them, the discovered antibody can neutralize the infection in cell cultures.
“This neutralizing antibody has the potential to alter the course of infection in the infected host, support virus clearance, or protect an uninfected individual who is exposed to the virus,” said Berend-Jan Bosch, the research leader, it’s a statement.
The study’s co-author, Professor at the Academy of Cell Biology at Erasmus Medical Center, Frank Grosveld, explained that conventional therapeutic antibodies are first developed in other species and then need to undergo additional work to “humanize” them. However, the antibody used in this fully human work. ” This allows development to progress more quickly and reduces the potential for side effects related to the immune system. “
The team that conducted the study notes that much work is still needed to discover whether this antibody is capable of protecting humans from the new coronavirus, but does not hide excitement over the discovery. “This is groundbreaking research,” said Jingsong Wang, HBM founder, president and CEO. “Much more work is needed to assess whether this antibody can protect or reduce the severity of disease in humans. We look forward to advancing antibody development with partners. “
