WuXi Biologics has stepped up its efforts in enabling the development of multiple neutralizing antibodies for novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) with its integrated technology platforms. The company says these antibodies from global biotech companies are potent in neutralizing 2019-nCoV in preliminary studies.
 
WuXi Biologics has established a 100+ R&D team dedicated to the development and manufacturing of multiple neutralizing antibodies for 2019-nCoV. The first batch of antibody is expected to be produced in 2 months, ready for preclinical toxicology studies and initial human clinical studies. Large scale manufacturing will be initiated following the studies at the company’s four GMP facilities with single batch bioreactor capacity ranging from 2,000 to 12,000 liters. A single batch at this scale combined is expected to treat up to 80,000 patients.
 
“Confronted by this severe outbreak, WuXi Biologics has taken prompt actions to accelerate the development of multiple neutralizing antibodies for 2019-nCoV, based on our extensive biologics development and manufacturing experience in the fields of infectious diseases,” said said Chris Chen, chief executive officer, WuXi Biologics. “Compared with the traditional timeline of 12 to 18 months, all studies from DNA to IND could hopefully be completed in 4-5 months while maintaining high quality. This way we can provide effective and timely interventions for the disease caused by 2019-nCoV. Continuing in our mission of ‘enabling global partners and benefiting patients worldwide’, WuXi Biologics will actively work together with global and domestic biotechnology companies, hospitals, medical institutions and other parties to win the battle against this infectious disease.”
 
Enabled by the proprietary technology platforms at WuXi Biologics, all preclinical CMC for the world’s first yellow fever antibody and world’s first Zika virus antibody were completed in a record timeline of 7 and 9 months, respectively.