December 22, 2020
An HJF Teammate, T.J. Esparza, who supports the work of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences’ (USU) Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, co-led a study that identified pint-sized antibodies, or “nanobodies,” that could protect against COVID-19.
From the NIH press release, "researchers have isolated a set of promising, tiny antibodies, or “nanobodies,” against SARS-CoV-2 that were produced by a llama named Cormac. Preliminary results published in Scientific Reports suggest that at least one of these nanobodies, called NIH-CoVnb-112, could prevent infections and detect virus particles by grabbing hold of SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins. In addition, the nanobody appeared to work equally well in either liquid or aerosol form, suggesting it could remain effective after inhalation. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes COVID-19."
Read the full NIH press release here: NIH neuroscientists isolate promising mini antibodies against COVID-19 from a llama
Read the article in Scientific Reports here: High affinity nanobodies block SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor binding domain interaction with human angiotensin converting enzyme
