Generation and characterization of humanized synergistic neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

The emerging coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has become a severe threat to global public health and local economies. In this study, several single-chain antibody fragments that bind to the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein were identified and used to construct human-mouse chimeric antibodies and humanized antibodies. These antibodies exhibited strong binding to RBD and neutralization activity towards a SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus. Moreover, these antibodies recognize different RBD epitopes and exhibit synergistic neutralizing activity. These provide candidate to combination use or bispecific antibody to potential clinical therapy for COVID-19.