'Purified antibodies' for COVID-19 prevention and treatment being developed

A joint venture between two biotech companies is working to fast track the development of "antibody-based" prevention and treatment for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

With support from Vins Bioproducts, the IG Biotech Group — the JV between IP Biotech and Secura International Corporation — is currently developing a treatment that aims to provide a 30-day window of immunity to high-risk individuals and frontliners.

A statement released by the IG Biotech Group the JV on Sunday said it "seeks  to introduce a treatment that can be used to alleviate active SARS-CoV-2 infections, and in the absence of a vaccine, provide short-term immunity or prophylaxis, against the virus." 

"The treatment being developed will make use of antibodies, also known as hyperimmune globulins, found in convalescent plasma (CP) obtained from former COVID-19 patients," the statement continued.

According to IG Biotech, the antibody treatment has been previously used in outbreaks such as  SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV.

ASEAN Regional Coordinator for Multi-sectoral Pandemic Preparedness and Response, and member of the scientific team of IG Biotech Dr. Noel Miranda said, "The results of various clinical trials on convalescent plasma being undertaken all over the world will provide further data on clinical efficacy of the treatment.

"However, already, there is strong evidence available to show that this approach is highly likely to be successful," he added.

Miranda said this treatment is intended "to provide individuals, especially healthcare workers, frontliners, and other high-risk individuals, a vital 30-day window of passive immunity to the virus, as well as prevent symptoms  from worsening in critical cases."

The real challenge for IG Biotech and Vins is quickly developing a purified and concentrated immunoglobulins (IgG) product for intravenous or intramuscular delivery.

According to the statement, the purified and concentrated form of hyperimmune globulins is expected to be safer, more effective and readily accessible than plasma transfusion therapy.

"It can be delivered in much lower volumes and less time, and can be easily stored and shipped all over the country," the statement said.

Because VINS already has an established technology of "purification and concentration of IgG will employ a proven processing system, including effective virus inactivation and removal," it essentially has the expertise to develop effective immunoglobulins to cure infected patients. 

IP Biotech Chairman Enrique Gonzalez said their team is working fast to develop the treatment and conduct clinical trials by mid-year.

“We have focused on an anti-body treatment due to the shorter timeline for development, and the high degree of safety and predictability during trials. We are merely taking nature's (human immune system) answer to COVID and distilling it into a vial form, which can be administered safely and conveniently," Gonzalez said.

IG Biotech also plans to collaborate with Philippine General Hospital and UP College of Medicine on plasma collection and pre-clinical testing and conduct of clinical studies.

UP College of Medicine Dean Dr. Charlotte Chiong said "we should see how we can explore this as a prophylaxis for our frontliners.  Perhaps a multiagency research team can move this forward.” 

Based on the results of their clinical studies and upcoming regulatory approvals, IG Biotech and its partners may be able to offer the country the first available treatment specific to COVID-19 by the third quarter of 2020.

IG Biotech has the support from IP-Biotech, which has a track record in vaccines in the Philippines for over 15 years.

Meanwhile, the Secura International team is comprised of recognized experts in pandemic, infectious diseases and vaccine development.

The UP-PGH, as of Friday, said that a total of 19 survivors donated blood for the collection of plasma after weeks of urging COVID-19 survivors to donate blood.  

On Saturday, the Department of Health (DOH) said the UP-PGH is the only health institution in the Philippines allowed to conduct  convalescent plasma therapy to treat COVID-19 patients.

According to DOH, the Philippines has 7,579 cases of COVID-19 with 862 recoveries and 501 deaths as of Sunday, April 26. — LA, GMA News