IAVI, Merck KGaA, Serum Institute Join Hands to Develop Monoclonal Antibodies for Covid-19

Serum Institute will lead global manufacturing as well as commercialisation in low- and middle-low-income countries, including India, it added. “We’re acutely aware of the tremendous potential for monoclonal antibodies to be used in COVID-19 response. scientific achievements of IAVI and Scripps Research with our partners’ development, manufacturing, and distribution expertise, we are hopeful that this partnership will result in globally accessible antibodies that are available to all who can benefit from them,” IAVIPresident and CEO Mark Feinberg said. On the agreement, Merck KGaA vice chair of the executive board and deputy CEO Beln Garijo said: “Together with IAVI and Serum Institute, we look forward to demonstrating the potential application of these monoclonal antibodies in the management of COVID-19.” We share a common purpose to accelerate this promising science and deliver effective solutions that address global challenges presented by this pandemic, he added. “I am extremely pleased that we have joined forces with IAVI and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany in the fight against COVID-19 with the aim of developing monoclonal antibodies for global access,” Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla said.

Under IAVI’s agreement with Merck KGaA and Serum Institute, the partners will conduct an accelerated, integrated program of preclinical and clinical research to evaluate the antibodies for treatment of COVID-19. A Phase I clinical trial is expected to start early in 2021, the statement said. Should the mAb candidates being developed be shown to be safe and efficacious, Merck KGaA and Serum Institute will help ensure that the therapy is rapidly and widely available and accessible, it added. Joining the partners in this development effort are contract research and manufacturing firm Syngene International and bioengineering company ATUM, the statement said.

.