Beroni Group has signed an agreement with GenScript Biotech to conduct antibody characterization and optimization for COVID-19 treatment through humanization and affinity maturation with the objective of increasing the antibody affinity to target the antigen by five to ten-fold. 
 
Genscript will render the services based on 3 phases: (1) Perform pseudovirus neutralization assay with candidate antibody (2) Production and characterization of humanized antibodies and (3) Using PML (Precise Mutagenesis Library) and FASEBA (Fast Screening for Expression, Biophysical-Properties and Affinity) to carry out affinity maturation and purification of the antibodies. The process is expected to take 15-18 weeks.
 
Nanobody-based technology will not only have the potential to deliver an effective and safe testing and treatment solution for COVID-19, but also provide an economic, scalable, high-yield and large-scale production capability, according to the company.
 
“We are pleased to be able to work with Genscript, one of the world’s largest molecular biology contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMO), to use their leading CDMO platform to further advance our study into the use of nanobodies for treating COVID-19 patients,” said Jacky Zhang, chairman and CEO of Beroni Group. “Nanobody, which has more natural advantages than traditional antibody, is more suitable as a neutralizing antibody to treat coronavirus patients. Nanobody treatment is fast emerging as an effective antibody drug in the market. We will do our utmost best to accelerate our clinical study so that we can produce a timely, safe and effective medical solution to help stop the global spread of this highly infectious disease.”
 
Brian Min, CEO of GenScript ProBio, said, “COVID-19 is still on the rise globally. During this period, we are pleased to collaborate with Beroni Group to use our CDMO platform to facilitate research on nanobodies for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. It is believed that with our joint efforts, this technology can appear in the market as soon as possible for the benefit of patients.”