Candidates: DXP-593 and DXP-604
Category: ANTIBODY
Types: SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody drug candidates identified by high-throughput single-cell RNA and VDJ sequencing of antigen-enriched B cells from over 60 convalescent patients. DXP-604 binds to a different epitope from DXP-593, though the companies say both could potentially be used as a cocktail treatment option that could avoid resistance due to viral mutation.
Status: BeiGene and Singlomics said August 27 that BeiGene agreed to develop, manufacture, and commercialize Singlomics’ investigational anti-COVID-19 antibodies, including DXP-593 and DXP-604, globally outside of greater China, through an exclusive license agreement whose value was not disclosed. The companies did say, however, that Singlomics will receive an upfront payment, additional payments tied to achieving regulatory and commercial milestones, and up to double-digit tiered royalties on future product sales.
Singlomics has identified “multiple antibodies” shown to be highly potent in preclinical studies in neutralizing SARS-CoV-2, the companies said. BeiGene plans to launch a Phase I randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trial that is expected to begin enrolling up to 30 healthy subjects in Australia in September—as well as a multinational Phase I/II trial in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19, which is expected to begin enrollment by early October.
BeiGene also agreed to develop, manufacture and commercialize a series of antibody sequences that could target the COVID-19 virus.
COVID-19: 200 Candidates and Counting
To navigate through the >200 potential therapeutic and vaccine options for COVID-19, GEN has grouped the candidates into four broad categories based on their developmental and (where applicable) clinical progress:
● FRONT RUNNER – the most promising therapeutics/vaccines based on clinical progress, favorable data or both.
● DEFINITELY MAYBE – earlier phases with promising partners, or more advanced candidates in development that have generated uneven data
● KEEPING AN EYE ON… – interesting technology, attracting notable partners, or both, but preliminary data.
● TOO SOON TO TELL – longshots pending additional experimental and/or clinical data.
GEN has also tagged the most common treatment types:
● ANTIVIRAL
● VAX
● ANTIBODY
● RNA
