MTX-COVAB, a human-derived antibody with potent neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro and in a hamster model of COVID-19

Fast track microfluidic screening of the antibody repertoires of 12 convalescent COVID-19 donors comprising 2.8mio antibodies yielded MTX-COVAB, a human-derived monoclonal antibody with low picomolar neutralization IC50 of SARS-CoV-2. COVAB neutralization potency is on par with the Regeneron cocktail as demonstrated in a comparative neutralization assay. MTX-COVAB shows strong efficacy in vivo and binds to all currently identified clinically relevant variants of SARS-CoV-2. MTX-COVAB completes GMP manufacturing by the end of this year and will be tested in the clinic in March 2021. ### Competing Interest Statement Simone Schmitt, Marcel Weber, Matthias Hillenbrand, Jemima Seidenberg, Catherine Townsend, Barbara Eicher, Justina Rutkauskaite, Karsten Fischer and Christoph Esslinger are employees of Memo Therapeutics AG and hold stock or stock options of the company. COVAB is subject of an active patent application.