New Partnership Focuses on Neutralizing mAbs Against SARS-CoV-2

Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd. revealed an agreement with Merck to develop SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) co-invented by IAVI and Scripps Research as innovative interventions to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Neutralizing mAbs against SARS-CoV-2 are widely considered to be promising candidates for COVID-19 treatment and prevention, stated Serum's press release.

This agreement announced on October 22, 2020, 'builds on the advanced antibody discovery and optimization expertise of IAVI and Scripps Research, gained from years of experience in HIV broadly neutralizing antibody research and development, and on Merck’s and Serum Institute’s significant capabilities in design and scale-up of accelerated manufacturing processes for mAb production.'

“I am confident that we and our partners are on a productive path that will lead to a much-needed, globally available tool for COVID-19 treatment and possibly prevention,” added Adar Poonawalla, CEO, Serum Institute.