In response to the health emergency and health priorities in Mexico, the National Polytechnic Institute and GlobalBio Inc. focused on the development of monoclonal therapeutic antibodies to neutralize SARS-CoV-2. Two antibody discovery platforms were created: ALTHEA Gold+ Libraries™, a semi-synthetic library, and ALTHEA SARS-CoV-2 Libraries™, constructed from the repertoire of a convalescent COVID-19 patient. Both libraries generated high-affinity antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 through screening with the RBD antigen from the Wuhan isolate.

 

Two lead antibodies were selected from the obtained results: UDIZ-0004 and D1. UDIZ-004, derived from ALTHEA Gold+ Libraries™, neutralizes the Wuhan isolate and the Delta variant. This antibody laid the foundation for the development of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. D1, obtained from ALTHEA SARS-CoV-2 Libraries™, neutralizes the Wuhan, Delta, and Omicron variants in vitro. Additionally, it was demonstrated that D1 prevents 100% of deaths in transgenic animals infected with the Wuhan isolate.

 

This project concluded with the development of the Phase 1 clinical protocol, as the pandemic and health emergency came to an end. However, this effort allowed UDIBI to establish a platform for the discovery and development of antibodies in the non-clinical stage.