Biopharmaceutical company Harbour BioMed has entered into a partnership with Mount Sinai Health System of New York City to develop novel antibodies that treat and prevent oncology and immunology diseases, starting with a COVID-19 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs).
The company’s internal discovery programme is focused on its two patented transgenic mouse platforms (Harbour Mice) for generating both fully human monoclonal antibodies and heavy chain only antibodies (HCAb) based immune cell engager (HBICETM) bispecific antibodies.
HBM will utilise the H2L2 Harbour Mice platform to generate monoclonal antibodies against COVID-19
Under the multi-year, multifaceted collaboration, HBM will use its H2L2 Harbour Mice platform to generate monoclonal antibodies that treat people who contract the virus or for prophylactic use in healthcare workers or other people exposed to the virus.
The antibodies have the capability to combat the spread of the virus by blocking the infection of cells.
HBM founder, chairman and CEO Jingsong Wang said: “This is a unique collaboration that will give HBM access to Mount Sinai’s innovative research-driven from its clinical practices.
“The agreement demonstrates HBM’s commitment to develop novel medicines and foster fast-track innovative research. We will push the boundaries of science and the development of new medicines that will ultimately translate into better treatments for patients.”
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai centre for therapeutic antibody development (CTAD) director Professor Thomas Moran said: “We are pleased to be able to collaborate with HBM at this time and leverage our experience in therapeutic antibody generation as well as the viral expertise of the Microbiology Department with the unique human antibody producing mice from Harbour.”
