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The development of Nanosota-1 as anti-SARS-CoV-2 nanobody drug candidates
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

The development of Nanosota-1 as anti-SARS-CoV-2 nanobody drug candidates

Gang Ye, Joseph Gallant, Jian Zheng, Christopher Massey, Ke Shi, Wanbo Tai, Abby Odle, Molly Vickers, Jian Shang, Yushun Wan, …
eLIFE, Vol.10, e64815
08/01/2021
DOI: 10.7554/eLife.64815
PMCID: PMC8354634
PMID: 34338634
url
https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.64815View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Combating the COVID-19 pandemic requires potent and low-cost therapeutics. We identified a series of single-domain antibodies (i.e., nanobody), Nanosota-1, from a camelid nanobody phage display library. Structural data showed that Nanosota-1 bound to the oft-hidden receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, blocking viral receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). The lead drug candidate possessing an Fc tag (Nanosota-1C-Fc) bound to SARS-CoV-2 RBD ~3000 times more tightly than ACE2 did and inhibited SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus ~160 times more efficiently than ACE2 did. Administered at a single dose, Nanosota-1C-Fc demonstrated preventive and therapeutic efficacy against live SARS-CoV-2 infection in both hamster and mouse models. Unlike conventional antibodies, Nanosota-1C-Fc was produced at high yields in bacteria and had exceptional thermostability. Pharmacokinetic analysis of Nanosota-1C-Fc documented an excellent in vivo stability and a high tissue bioavailability. As effective and inexpensive drug candidates, Nanosota-1 may contribute to the battle against COVID-19. Keywords: ACE2; COVID-19; animal model; crystal structures; drug pharmacokinetics; infectious disease; microbiology; single-chain antibody from camelids; spike protein receptor-binding domain; virus; virus neutralization. © 2021, Ye et al.
COVID-19 pandemic coronavirus

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