(Yicai Global) Nov. 18 -- Chinese scientists have developed a new antibody that can significantly reduce Covid-19 patients' symptoms, including difficulties in breathing, while returning patients' sense of taste and smell.

The drug, DXP-604, is undergoing phase II clinical trials in China, Science and Technology Daily reported today. The country's regulators have approved compassionate use of the medicine in clinical treatment at Beijing Ditan Hospital. Some patients have even been sent home after using the product.

DXP-604 can block Covid-19 variants with a single antibody, while its production costs less than one-third of dual antibody drugs, said Sunney Xie, the leader of the research and development team and a professor at Peking University. "It is the super antibody we have been looking for."

The novel coronavirus can mutate and regenerate if the antibody is too strong, but the effect of DXP-604 is just right, killing the virus, said Xie. The new drug was jointly developed by Xie’s team and Beijing-based Singlomics Biopharmaceuticals.

The team has joined hands with state-backed vaccine developer China National Biotec Group to promote phase II and phase III clinical trials overseas, said Xie. Drug platform developer WuXi Biologics is currently supporting the clinical trials and compassionate use, he added.

Editor: Emmi Laine, Xiao Yi