Monoclonal antibodies against MERS coronavirus show promise in phase 1 NIH-sponsored trial

(NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) A randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 1 clinical trial of two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against the coronavirus that causes MERS found that they were well tolerated and generally safe when administered simultaneously to healthy adults. The experimental mAbs target the MERS coronavirus (MERS CoV) spike protein used by the virus to attach to and infect target cells. The mAbs were discovered and developed by scientists at the ...