Scientists from WEHI and the Doherty Institute have found monoclonal antibodies that can block the SARS-CoV-2 virus from entering cells – the first step in the infection cycle – in preclinical models of COVID-19 infection.

Antibodies are naturally occurring proteins that play a crucial role in our immune system’s ability to recognise and fight infections.

“Our research indicates that these monoclonal antibodies are leading candidates to be developed into a treatment for COVID-19,” said Professor Wai-Hong Tham, who co-led the study.

Monoclonal antibodies have emerged as powerful therapeutics both to prevent and treat a range of diseases including cancer, inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. The treatment could be particularly useful in preventing severe COVID-19 disease in older people and those who are immunocompromised.

This research is part of a consortium-led effort bringing together Australian academic and industry leaders in infectious diseases and antibody therapeutics at WEHI, the Doherty Institute, the Burnet Institute, the Kirby Institute, CSL, Affinity Bio and CSIRO.

“We aim to understand the duration of protective immunity to the virus and new variants, and to establish factors that contribute to both protective and waning responses.”

People who have recovered from COVID-19, and their close contacts, could hold the key to understanding how immunity to the disease develops, how long it lasts and what happens when immunity is lost.

Study investigator Dr Vanessa Bryant said understanding immunity to COVID-19 was vital for developing vaccination and booster strategies for the community, as well as targeted strategies that may be needed for vulnerable groups.

“WEHI’s COVID PROFILE study follows immune responses in adult COVID-recovered or vaccinated volunteers for 12 months. We aim to understand the duration of protective immunity to the virus and new variants, and to establish factors that contribute to both protective and waning responses.”

A major area of work is measuring virus-specific antibody and memory responses over time to current and emerging variants of concern and linking this data with national modelling efforts.

Wastewater testing has been described as a ‘game-changer’ in Victoria’s efforts to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2. It has led to the confirmed identification of previously undetected infection clusters across the state.

Associate Professor Aaron Jex and his lab have played a key role in Victoria’s wastewater testing programs for COVID-19, including developing new methods to confirm the presence of viral fragments in positive samples and working with the Victorian Department of Health on how to use this information in the public health response.

Using methods developed in the Jex lab, wastewater testing accurately identified the first intrusion of the BA.1 and BA.2 variants in Victoria and tracked their rise to predominance. The program provides a vital, early warning system to detect new virus variants, reduce the risk of new waves of COVID-19 infections and slow their spread.

WEHI would like to sincerely thank all our supporters who donated to our COVID-19 research. Every gift contributes to a significant ‘collective impact’ that truly makes a difference. Also critical is support from the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund and the Victorian Government.