11 August 2021 - - US-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company SAB Biotherapeutics is highlighting the publication of data showing that SAB-185, the company's therapeutic candidate for the treatment of COVID-19 infections, demonstrates effective and potent neutralization of multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, including the Delta and Lambda variants, the company said.

The nonclinical study, Fully Human Antibody Immunoglobulin from Transchromosomic Bovines is Potent Against SARS-CoV-2 Variant Pseudoviruses, was conducted by scientists at the US Food and Drug Administration Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research and published in bioRxiv, the online life sciences archive for COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 preprints.

SAB-185 is a fully-human, specifically targeted and broadly neutralizing polyclonal antibody therapeutic candidate.

It is currently being assessed in a Phase 2/3 trial in non-hospitalized patients with mild-moderate COVID-19 infections. It is the first polyclonal antibody therapeutic included in the ACTIV-2 master protocol, a study sponsored, funded, and conducted by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the US National Institutes of Health.

In the study, researchers evaluated SAB-185 using a lentiviral-based pseudovirus assay conducted in a BSL2 environment that incorporates a stable 293T cell line expressing human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2).

The results indicate that SAB-185 retained potency to neutralize recombinant S protein lentiviral pseudoviruses that mimic SARS-CoV-2 Delta (B. 1.617.2), Kappa (B.1.617.1) and Lambda variants.

On June 22, 2021, SAB announced a planned merger with Big Cypress acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: BCYP). The transaction is expected to close in 4Q21.

SAB-185 is a fully-human polyclonal antibody therapeutic in a Phase 2/3 adaptive trial for the treatment of COVID-19.

It was developed in collaboration with the US government using SAB's novel proprietary DiversitAb Rapid Response Antibody Program.

In preclinical studies, the novel therapeutic has shown potent neutralization of the Munich, Washington and other variant strains, including Delta and Lambda.

Preclinical data has also indicated that SAB-185 is significantly more potent than human-derived convalescent immunoglobulin G.