Adagio Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: ADGI) has offered an update regarding external in vitro analyses evaluating ADG20’s neutralizing activity against the Omicron COVID-19 variant.
ADG’s neutralizing efficacy against Omicron reduces 300 fold
In vitro findings from both actual and pseudovirus tests of the Omicron variant demonstrate that ADG20’s neutralizing efficacy against Omicron is reduced by more than 300-fold. Supplemental research is being conducted, and the Company intends to work with government and regulatory authorities to determine ADG20’s role in the treatment and prevention of COVID-19, especially as the industry’s understanding of the impact and epidemiology of Omicron and potential new variants improves.
CEO Tillman Gerngross stated, “Due to the highly conserved and immunorecessive nature of the epitope recognized by ADG20, we anticipated that ADG20 would retain neutralizing activity against Omicron, consistent with activity observed in in vitro models with all other known variants of concern. While the individual mutations present in the Omicron receptor binding domain were not associated with escape from ADG20 in the context of an original strain of the virus, new data show that the combination of mutations present in the Omicron spike protein led to a reduction in ADG20 neutralization that was not suggested by prior data.”
Delta variant prevalence and other variants necessitating more therapies
Gerngross added, “The continued prevalence of the Delta variant in the U.S. and other countries, evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants and potential future coronaviruses means a multitude of therapies and approaches are needed. With an expert team committed to advancing antibody solutions that combat this unprecedented pandemic and a strong balance sheet, we’re conducting additional analyses to assess the optimal path forward with ADG20 as both a prophylactic and treatment option for COVID-19.”
The Company is studying ADG20 in global Phase 2/3 clinical studies to treat and prevent COVID-19. In addition, adagio proposes to stop patient enrollment in its Phase 2/3 COVID-19 therapy study at clinical sites in South Africa, where the Omicron variant has emerged as the prevalent variation, based on in vitro data relating to Omicron.
