FD20 for COVID-19

AbstractSARS-CoV-2 (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) Variants of Concern (VOCs), such as the Omicron sub-variants, present significant challenges in pandemic control due to their capacity to escape antibodies and breach vaccine protections. Discovering antibodies that can tolerate mutations in VOCs and understanding their underlying mechanisms is crucial for developing therapeutics for COVID-19 patients, particularly those for whom other therapies may be unsuitable. Here, we report the neutralization of the Omicron variant by FD20, a broadly active human monoclonal antibody. In contrast to a clinically approved control antibody, FD20 neutralizes Omicron with comparable IC50 values to those observed for previously circulating VOCs and the original strain reported in Wuhan. Leveraging structural information, we provide insights into its resilience against mutations in Omicron. The results encourage the prospective development of FD20 as a therapeutic option for COVID-19 caused by current and potentially future VOCs.

Currently, SARS-CoV-2 has evolved into various variants, including the numerous highly mutated Omicron sub-lineages, significantly increasing immune evasion ability. The development raises concerns about the possibly diminished effectiveness of available vaccines and antibody-based therapeutics. Here, we describe those representative categories of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) that retain prominent effectiveness against emerging variants including Omicron sub-lineages. The molecular characteristics, epitope conservation, and resistance mechanisms of these antibodies are further detailed, aiming to offer suggestion or direction for the development of therapeutic antibodies, and facilitate the design of vaccines with broad-spectrum potential.