Vir Biotechnology and WuXi Biologics Announce Collaboration for GlobalDevelopment of Antibodies to Treat COVID-19
SAN FRANCISCO and SHANGHAI, February 25, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Vir
Biotechnology, Inc. (Nasdaq: VIR) and WuXi Biologics (stock code: 2269.HK) today
announced a development and manufacturing collaboration to advance and produce
human monoclonal antibodies for the potential treatment of COVID-19 (Coronavirus
Disease 2019), a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2.
Under the terms of the agreement, the companies will work together on the clinical
development, manufacturing, and commercialization of Vir’s proprietary antibodies.
WuXi Biologics will conduct cell-line development, process and formulation
development, and initial manufacturing for clinical development. If the antibodies
receive regulatory approvals, WuXi Biologics has the rights to commercialize
therapies in Greater China, and Vir has the rights to commercialize therapies in all
other markets worldwide.
Vir has identified a number of monoclonal antibodies that bind to SARS-CoV-2.
These antibodies were isolated from individuals who had survived a SARS (Severe
Acute Respiratory Syndrome) infection. The company is conducting research to
determine if its antibodies, or additional antibodies that it may be able to identify,
can be effective as treatment and/or prophylaxis against SARS-CoV-2.
“We are acutely aware of the importance of moving rapidly in response to COVID-19,”
said George A. Scangos, Ph.D., CEO of Vir Biotechnology. “In the event that we are in
a position to develop an antibody therapy, our agreement with WuXi Biologics enables
us to accelerate advancement against this global threat.”
“Both WuXi Biologics and Vir felt the great urgency to develop antibodies to treat global
patients provided they work in the clinic. Our state-of-the-art technology platform and
robust global-quality supply network make us uniquely qualified in expediting the
development and manufacturing of these potential treatments,” commented Chris Chen
Ph.D., CEO of WuXi Biologics. “Once again WuXi Biologics is collaborating with global
biotech companies such as Vir to expedite biologics development to benefit patients
worldwide.”
About Vir’s Antibody Platform
Vir has a robust method for capitalizing on unusually successful immune responses
naturally occurring in people who are protected from, or have recovered from,
infectious diseases. The platform is used to identify rare antibodies from survivors
that have the potential to treat and prevent rapidly evolving and/or previously
untreatable pathogens via direct pathogen neutralization and immune system
stimulation. Vir engineers the fully human antibodies that it discovers to enhance their
therapeutic potential. This platform has been used to identify and develop antibodies
for pathogens including Ebola (mAb114, currently in use in the Democratic Republic
of Congo), hepatitis B virus, influenza A, malaria, and others.
About Vir Biotechnology
Vir Biotechnology is a clinical-stage immunology company focused on combining
immunologic insights with cutting-edge technologies to treat and prevent serious
infectious diseases. Vir has assembled four technology platforms that are designed
to stimulate and enhance the immune system by exploiting critical observations of
natural immune processes. Its current development pipeline consists of five product
candidates targeting hepatitis B virus, influenza A, human immunodeficiency virus
and tuberculosis. For more information, please visit www.vir.bio.
About WuXi Biologics
WuXi Biologics (stock code: 2269.HK), a Hong Kong-listed company, is a leading
global open-access biologics technology platform offering end-to-end solutions to
empower organizations to discover, develop and manufacture biologics from concept
to commercial manufacturing. Our company history and achievements demonstrate
our commitment to providing a truly ONE-stop service offering and strong value
proposition to our global clients. As of June 30, 2019, there were a total of 224
integrated projects, including 106 projects in pre-clinical development stage, 102
projects in early-phase (phase I and II) clinical development, 15 projects in late-phase
(phase III) development and one project in commercial manufacturing. With total
estimated capacity for biopharmaceutical production planned in China, Ireland,
Singapore and the U.S. exceeding 280,000 liters by 2022, we will provide our
biomanufacturing partners with a robust and premier-quality global supply chain
network. For more information on WuXi Biologics, please visit
www.wuxibiologics.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,”
“plan,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “potential” and similar expressions (as well
as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances)
are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements are based on Vir’s expectations and assumptions as of the date of this
press release. Each of these forward-looking statements involves risks and
uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from these forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include
statements regarding the company’s efforts to neutralize the SARS-CoV-2 virus and
identify additional potential therapies for SARS-CoV-2, and its ability to address the
emerging public health epidemic. Many factors may cause differences between
3
current expectations and actual results including unexpected safety or efficacy data
observed during preclinical or clinical studies, challenges in neutralizing SARS-CoV-
2, difficulty in collaborating with other companies or government agencies, and
challenges in accessing manufacturing capacity within China. Other factors that may
cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking
statements in this press release are discussed in Vir’s filings with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission, including the section titled “Risk Factors” contained
therein. Except as required by law, Vir assumes no obligation to update any forwardlooking
statements contained herein to reflect any change in expectations, even as
new information becomes available.
Contact:
Vir Biotechnology, Inc.
Investors
Neera Ravindran, MD
Head of Investor Relations & Strategic Communications
nravindran@vir.bio
+1-415-506-5256
Media
Lindy Devereux
Scient PR
lindy@scientpr.com
+1-646-515-5730
WuXi Biologics
Media
Kevin Huang PhD
kevin_huang@wuxiapptec.com