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News & Insights

3 min read

Looking Back on Omicron: Checking our predictions against recent reports

By Dr. John Kenney on Feb 16, 2022 2:55:47 PM

When the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 was first identified, we applied our molecular modeling methods to assess how this new variant would impact the ongoing pandemic. Since we published our initial findings, the ubiquitous nature of Omicron infections, coupled with the publications of several excellent studies, has compelled us to update our last entry on the subject. These new studies may help us make sense of the current situation while possibly predicting where we are headed, keeping in mind that this update is not intended to be comprehensive. 

Topics: Insights Covid SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 Omicron
5 min read

The Delta Variant Furin Domain Mutation Favors Greater Infectivity

By Dr. John Kenney on Oct 7, 2021 2:40:51 PM

The Delta variant has quickly become the predominant strain of SARS-CoV-2. Based on molecular modeling studies, Antibody Solutions was one of the first to propose that the earliest variant, D614G, was more transmissible by promoting furin processing, a key step in virus infection. Consistent with our modeling results, it was later found that a spike protein construct containing the G614 mutation was more susceptible to S1/S2 cleavage by furin. Subsequent SARS-CoV-2 variants have continued to possess the D614G mutation, including the two variants of greatest concern today: Alpha and Delta.

Topics: Covid SARS-CoV-2 Molecular Modeling Antibody Discovery COVID-19
1 min read

Original Research: Targeting Three Spike Protein Domains Regulating SARS-CoV-2 Infectivity

By Dr. John Kenney on May 24, 2021 2:54:26 PM

Like our research colleagues across the entire global scientific community, our team here at Antibody Solutions continues to further delve into the complexities of SARS-CoV-2 and its mutations in hopes of further illuminating potential paths for additional discovery work. We presented our most recent findings during the 2021 PEGS Boston Virtual Conference & Expo.

Topics: Insights Covid SARS-CoV-2 Molecular Modeling COVID-19
2 min read

Modeling the Impact of the UK and South African Strain Mutations

By Dr. John Kenney on Feb 9, 2021 1:17:49 PM

Mutations Found in the South African and UK COVID-19 Virus Strains Improve the Stability of the ACE2-Spike RBD Complex

Topics: Insights Covid SARS-CoV-2 Molecular Modeling COVID-19
1 min read

Original Research: Generating Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Sites

By Dr. John Kenney on Jan 19, 2021 1:16:27 PM

As we’ve noted in some recent blog posts (here and here, for instance), our team at Antibody Solutions is joining the global scientific community in the collective fight against SARS-CoV-2 and its mutations. That includes both research conducted on behalf of our clients and our own discoveries. 

Topics: News Insights Covid SARS-CoV-2 Molecular Modeling COVID-19
2 min read

The UK Strain and Other Recent RBD Mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 Virus

By Dr. John Kenney on Dec 22, 2020 9:07:29 PM

Examining mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) Protein Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) at the ACE2 receptor S protein interface

Topics: News Insights Covid SARS-CoV-2 Molecular Modeling COVID-19
5 min read

COVID-19 Targets, Tools and Therapeutics (Part 2)

By Dr. John Kenney on Dec 15, 2020 8:00:00 PM

Antibody Solutions is doing its part to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, including original research, tool discovery, and participation in in-house and client-sponsored discovery programs. In this new blog series, we examine questions such as: What are the potential targets to treat COVID-19 and its sequelae, and what are the strategies and tools to discover drugs to treat the disease?

Topics: Insights Covid SARS-CoV-2 Molecular Modeling Transgenic Animals COVID-19
3 min read

Global Spotlight Shines on mRNA Thanks to Pfizer, BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate

By Debra Valsamis on Nov 11, 2020 11:05:03 AM

In the science shot heard ‘round the world, Pfizer and BioNTech announced Monday that their vaccine candidate (aka “BNT162b2”) appears to be more than 90% effective in preventing SARS-CoV-2 among those without evidence of prior infection. And since that news broke on the same day that the number of confirmed U.S. cases of COVID-19 crossed yet another grim threshold — 10 million infected — it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Topics: Insights Covid SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 mRNA
3 min read

COVID-19 Targets, Tools and Therapeutics (Part 1)

By Dr. John Kenney on Oct 14, 2020 2:27:37 PM

Antibody Solutions is doing its part to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, including original research, tool discovery, and participation in in-house and client-sponsored discovery programs. In this new blog series, we examine questions such as: What are the potential targets to treat COVID-19 and its sequelae, and what are the strategies and tools to discover drugs to treat the disease?

Topics: Insights Covid SARS-CoV-2 Molecular Modeling COVID-19
6 min read

News Release: Study Identifies Potential COVID Vaccine & Therapy Research Pathways

By Dr. John Kenney on Jun 17, 2020 4:26:04 PM

Conformational change of the spike protein furin cleavage domain may enhance virus infectivity

June 16, 2020 (Santa Clara, Calif.) — Research by two U.S.-based antibody discovery companies shows a rise and dominance of a mutant SARS-CoV-2 virus and identifies a new mechanism predicting a competitive advantage of the mutation. The mutation is predicted to induce a structural change in the spike protein of the virus that would enhance virus entry. The study, conducted by Antibody Solutions and Single Cell Technology (SCT), is available on Preprints.org (the study’s findings have not yet been peer-reviewed).

Topics: News Covid SARS-CoV-2 Molecular Modeling COVID-19
7 min read

Original Research: Joint effort finds advantages conferred by a D614G mutation in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein

By Dr. John Kenney on Jun 5, 2020 5:18:43 PM

It’s not often that small biotechnology companies pursue basic research into disease mechanisms. However, the serious impact of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak on our families, friends, and community has prompted us to seek solutions for solving the COVID-19 pandemic. At Antibody Solutions (AS) and Single Cell Technology (SCT), we sought answers to the nature of the virus infection using our tools at hand.

Topics: Insights Covid SARS-CoV-2 Molecular Modeling COVID-19
5 min read

Antibody Solutions & the COVID-19 Crisis

By Dr. John Kenney on Apr 19, 2020 8:06:39 PM

EDITOR'S NOTE: We're thankful to be holding true to the potential we outlined in this original April 19 blog post. As part of a collaboration with Single Cell Technology, we've discovered a potential new path for SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and therapy research. We've published our findings in a new paper, and you can get an overview here (as well as a link to the complete research document).


 

“It must be noted, however, that a single product is unlikely to meet the currently very substantial medical need, and not all product candidates will be successful in clinical studies. Therefore, many initiatives aimed at developing investigational antibodies are needed.”

— Dr. Janice Reichert, executive director, The Antibody Society

Where We Stand Now: The bottom line up-front

It’s probably safe to assume that—for all the wrong reasons—”coronavirus” will be Merriam-Webster’s word of the year for 2020. 

Topics: Insights Covid SARS-CoV-2 Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibodies Therapeutic Targets COVID-19
1 min read

Antibody Solutions COVID-19 Update #2

By Dr. John Kenney on Apr 2, 2020 9:34:42 AM

UPDATED 4/2/2020

On March 31, 2020, California Gov. Gavin Newsom extended the statewide shelter-in-place order through May 3, 2020. Additional restrictions designed to help protect citizens from the COVID-19 pandemic also were imposed.

Consistent with the March 19 order, this order considers life science companies such as Antibody Solutions to be “essential,” meaning we are exempt from many restrictions imposed on other businesses and can continue our operations. As specified in this order, we are preparing an updated document formalizing the social distancing protocol we had implemented in accordance with the first order.

Topics: News Covid COVID-19
1 min read

Antibody Solutions COVID-19 Update #1

By Dr. John Kenney on Mar 17, 2020 6:16:44 PM

UPDATED 3/20/2020

On March 19, 2020, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced statewide requirements in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. These required actions in this order align with the Santa Clara County shelter-in-place orders released earlier this week and have not imposed any additional restrictions on Antibody Solutions operations. We will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates, as necessary.  

On March 16, 2020, the Public Health Department of Santa Clara County, California, along with five other San Francisco Bay Area counties, issued a shelter-in-place order for all county residents in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. That includes us here at Antibody Solutions.

Topics: News Covid COVID-19