(Yicai Global) May 27 -- A Covid-19 neutralizing antibody developed by a Chinese research team has shown preliminary treatment and prevention effects in rhesus monkey experiments in this the world’s first reported testing of such an antibody on non-human primates.

The Institute of Microbiology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Shanghai-based Junshi Biosciences jointly conducted the experiment, according to the research paper published on the authoritative US academic journal Nature yesterday. They isolated the antibody from the blood cells of patients in recovery and eliminated its toxic effects via genetic modification and ultimately verified its treatment effect and prevention potential through rhesus monkey experiments.

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The CB6-LALA antibody is a potential cure for Covid-19 based on existing data analysis and thus is worthy of future work, according to the researchers. The experiment’s results will guide the direction and design of clinical tests, they said.

Neutralizing antibodies are therapeutic ones that protect cells from pathogens by neutralizing or inhibiting their activity. They can be mass-produced via engineering means to fulfill high clinical demand. Several research teams worldwide are developing ones targeting Covid-19.

Junshi Biosciences concluded an agreement with US drug maker Eli Lilly and Company to collaboratively develop the therapy, Junshi Biosciences announced early this month. The pair will submit their Investigational New Drug Application to the US Food and Drug Administration and start clinical research in the second quarter.

Editors: Dou Shicong, Ben Armour