The extraordinary scope and scale of the COVID-19 pandemic has elicited extraordinary responses world-wide. Organizations located across the globe have mobilized teams to research the SARS-CoV-19 virus and COVID-19, conduct clinical studies of repurposed biologics, and research and develop anti-SARS-CoV-2 biologics. In this presentation, Dr. Janice Reichert will discuss progress in the development of ~ 140 biologics for COVID-19, including over 50 repurposed biologics and over 80 anti-SARS-CoV-2 biologics.

Virus-free transient gene expression (TGE) in High Five insect cells recently evolved to an efficient protein production method for the production of high-quality proteins of the CoV-2 virus. Especially, the short time frame of generating synthetic genes and subsequent expression in the optimized High Five TGE system allows a quick response to new upcoming virus variants. The proteins can be easily produced in 10-100 mg amounts within weeks. Sufficient for developing diagnostic tools for serological screening, therapeutic compounds screening in either in-vitro or in-vivo assays and generating of protein variants for vaccine development.

The talk focuses on bioengineering methods enabling the goal of a cost-efficient, scalable COVID-19 antibody therapy. Distributed Bio SuperHuman libraries and Tumbler technology were used to rapidly adapt anti-SARS antibodies to the novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. A network of five independent laboratories validated in-vitro potency against wildtype as well as pseudovirion, and in-vivo protection as therapeutic as well as prophylactic in hamster models of COVID-19. Fv and Fc engineering was conducted to extend half-life, improve safety by lowering risk of ADE, ADA and off-target reactivity. Further engineering adapted lead to be compatible with manufacture by CHO with Millipore and bacterial with SwiftScale.