Structural Studies of an Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Cocktail

Neutralizing antibodies have become an important tool in treating infectious diseases. We recently reported two separate approaches yielding successful antibody treatments for Ebola-one from genetically humanized mice and the other from a human survivor. In a similar manner, we undertook parallel efforts using both humanized mice and convalescent patients to generate antibodies against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein. These efforts yielded a large collection of fully human antibodies that were characterized for binding, neutralization, and three-dimensional structure. On the basis of these criteria, we selected pairs of highly potent individual antibodies that simultaneously bind the receptor binding domain of the spike protein, thereby providing ideal partners for a therapeutic antibody cocktail that aims to decrease the potential for virus escape mutants that might arise in response to selective pressure from a singleantibody treatment.