BiondVAX Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (NASDAQ: BVXV) has signed definitive agreements with Max Planck Institute of Biophysical Chemistry’s parent organization, Max Planck Society, and University Medical Center Gottingen, both in German, to sign a strategic partnership for the development and commercialization of novel COVID-19 nanosized antibodies.
Broader collaboration expected in 2022
The agreements are part of a wider collaboration anticipated to be entered in January 2022 that covers NaoAbs development and commercialization for various disease indications with big market sizes leveraging their exceptional binding affinity stability at higher temperatures and the possibility of effective and convenient administration routes.
The lead NanoAb products for the COVID-19 program showed a robust competitive edge relative to existing COVID-19 therapies. For instance, the NanoAbs showed superior affinity in targeting the SARS-CoV-2 virus at drug concentrations that are around 100-times lower relative to those needed by the available monoclonal antibodies. Interestingly, this may result in enhanced efficacy, minimize side effects, and enable production at a low cost. Additionally, NanoAbs’ micro size and hyper-thermostability at 950C potentially enable administration via inhalation and long shelf life, avoiding the need for cold chain storage and transport. Notably, these attributes seek to enhance considerable competitive advantages.
Improved treatments needed to combat Omicron variant
CEO of BiondVax Amir Reichman said, “As Omicron’s recent and rapid emergence makes clear, improved therapeutics are needed to bring COVID-19 under control. The innovative COVID-19 NanoAb candidates offer the potential for a superior therapeutic platform. Overall, the NanoAb platform is an incredible opportunity for BiondVax. It will serve as a basis for an exciting new pipeline of commercially attractive products to address unmet therapeutic needs of diseases such as psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, asthma, and macular degeneration.”
Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry Director Dirk Gorlich said, “We believe that the innovative platform developed at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry and the University Medical Center of Göttingen has great potential to provide patients with superior therapies. We are particularly pleased to team with BiondVax to use their drug development and manufacturing capabilities and expertise to advance the COVID-19 nanosized antibodies through additional development towards marketing approvals.”
