At Antibody Analytics we have made a strategic decision to focus our expertise on addressing some of the scientific challenges faced during the global COVID-19 pandemic.
As experts in bioassay development, we are establishing a variety of SARS-CoV-2 related methods to support the development of therapeutics to combat this virus.
Neutralization assays with S Protein-pseudotyped lentiviral particles
Antibody Analytics have developed a screening assay to characterise the ability of therapeutic antibodies or small molecule inhibitors to block the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into healthy cells. We have established an in vitro assay using pseudotyped virus expressing the spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 and human cells expressing ACE2 – the viral entry receptor for SARS-CoV-2. This assay is suitable for the assessment of:
- Therapeutic antibodies which aim to inhibit viral entry
- Small molecule inhibitors, targeted towards ACE2, the S protein or the priming proteases essential for S protein-mediated viral entry
- Assessment of sera for neutralising antibody responses (e.g. from experimental vaccines)
In this in vitro model of the infection process, the pseudotyped virus expresses a luciferase reporter gene, facilitating medium throughput screening of compound/antibody libraries and sera.
This assay provides a complementary, orthogonal approach to our Cell Fusion Screening format.
Cell fusion screening assay
Exploiting an observed coronavirus-induced phenomenon, Antibody Analytics is developing a cell fusion assay to assess the ability of molecules or antibodies to interfere with the interaction of the viral spike (S) protein from SARS-CoV-2 and ACE2 (the human receptor essential for viral entry). Cells expressing ACE2 are co-incubated with cells expressing the viral S protein. Cell-cell fusion occurs, generating a fluorescent signal. Blocking this interaction provides a measurable reduction in fluorescence.
This assay is suitable for the assessment of:
- Therapeutic antibodies which aim to inhibit viral entry
- Small molecule inhibitors, targeted towards ACE2, the S protein or the priming proteases essential for S protein-mediated viral entry
- Assessment of sera for neutralising antibody responses (e.g. from experimental vaccines)
This assay provides a complementary, orthogonal approach to our pseudotyped S protein screening assay format.
