Business
Immunome Expects IMM-BCP-01 Antibody Cocktail To Neutralize the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant
Based on structural mapping of Omicron’s mutations and insights from direct preclinical testing of Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta variants, Immunome expects
About this update from Immunome, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"\n\nBased on structural mapping of Omicron’s mutations and insights from direct preclinical testing of Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta variants, Immunome expects its cocktail to be active against the Omicron variant\n\n\nThe Omicron variant has a number of mutations across the ACE2 receptor binding site, which may reduce the neutralization potency of some other antibodies under development and Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)\n\n\nTwo of IMM-BCP-01’s antibodies target epitopes outside of the ACE2 receptor binding site\n\n\nImmunome is aggressively working to confirm IMM-BCP-01’s activity against Omicron in laboratory testing; expects availability of initial results in January 2022\n\n\n EXTON, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--\n\nImmunome, Inc. (Nasdaq: IMNM), a biopharmaceutical company that utilizes its human memory B cell platform to discover and develop first-in-class antibody therapeutics, announced today that it has conducted an assessment of the reported mutations in the new SARS-CoV-2 variant, Omicron (B.1.1.529). Based upon mapping of those mutations and activity against previous and current CDC variants of concern, Immunome expects its antibody cocktail, IMM-BCP-01, to neutralize the Omicron variant. The Company is diligently working to confirm this activity in laboratory testing and expects initial results to be available in January 2022.\n\nIMM-BCP-01 is an antibody cocktail designed to target three distinct, non-overlapping epitopes. Immunome used its discovery engine to interrogate the body’s immune response to SARS-CoV-2 through isolation of human memory B cells. The technology rapidly led to isolation of rare and potent antibodies including those targeting novel and highly conserved epitopes.\n\n“Immunome designed its cocktail with multiple points of attack to be resilient in the face of a rapidly evolving virus,” stated Matthew Robinson, PhD, Sr. Vice President of R&D of Immunome. “Furthermore, similar to the natural human immune response, we believe that a cocktail approach significantly enhances viral neutralization and clearance, as evidenced by our preclinical testing to date with multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2.”\n\nThe Omicron Variant\n\nThe Omicron variant has a more extensive mutational burden than current and former CDC variants of concern including >30 mutations in the Spike protein. These mutations include a large...