Aridis Pharmaceuticals said that in vitro testing has demonstrated that its AR-701 monoclonal antibody (mAb) cocktail AR-701 has the ability to neutralize all SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Omicron, as well as the coronaviruses that cause SARS, MERS, and the common cold. The company also said that AR-701 is expected to provide protection against those viruses for 6 months to 1 year after treatment. Aridis is developing formulations of AR-701 for delivery by both injection and inhalation.
In addition to the positive results from the in vitro studies, the company said that a single dose of inhaled AR-701 prevented disease in hamsters infected with the Delta variant, and the animals experienced no weight loss. A study in mice infected with the SARS virus and treated with a single inhaled dose found similar results.
Aridis CEO Vu Truong commented, “Omicron has rendered current COVID-19 vaccines and monoclonal antibodies substantially less effective, and likely future COVID 19 variants will arise that continue this trend. AR-701 is the result of our successful search for a mAb therapy that is directed against a conserved region of the virus that would be less vulnerable to mutations and new variants such as omicron. Our laboratory data suggest that AR-701 has the potential to be a future-proof COVID-19 therapy that can protect against SARS-CoV-2, SARS, or MERS pandemics. To our knowledge AR-701 is the only COVID-19 therapy that targets two distinct viral mechanisms of action, making it much harder for the virus to generate resistance, and exhibits an unmatched combination of broad reactivity and high efficacy.”
Earlier this year, Aridis announced its intention to develop a different inhaled mAb cocktail for COVID-19, AR-712. According to the current announcement, AR-701 has now replaced AR-712 as the company’s lead mAb candidate for COVID-19.
Read the Aridis Pharmaceuticals press release.
