By: KDKA-TV News Staff
Pittsburgh (KDKA) – University of Pittsburgh scientists have isolated a biomolecule that causes the coronavirus to neutralize the virus “completely and exclusively.”
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have isolated the smallest biological molecules to date that neutralize the SARS-Cavi-2 virus, according to a report released Monday in the Cell. The antibody component is 10 times smaller than a full-size antibody and is used to make a drug called AB8 for use as a therapeutic and preventive against SARS-CV-2, the report said.
Researchers have reported that AB8 is “extremely effective” in preventing and treating SARS-Cove-2 infections in mice and hamsters.
“AB8 not only has the potential to cure Covid-19, but can also be used to prevent people from contracting SARS-Cov-2,” said John Mellors, M-author, head of the infectious diseases department at UPMC. And Pitt, said in a release issued from the UPMC. “Large-sized antibodies work against other infectious diseases and are well tolerated. We hope they may be an effective treatment for patients with COVID-19 who have never been infected and have no immunity.”
Stay tuned to KDK for more on this evolving story.
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