#Netherlands #Amsterdam #SARS-CoV-2 #Kling Bio #B-Cell Technology

Kling Bio Validates Innovative B-Cell Technology for Virus Response

Kling Bio, a cutting-edge biotech company, recently announced notable findings from their latest study regarding their proprietary B-cell technology. The company has demonstrated that this technology can serve as an agile and effective means of developing therapeutics against ongoing and emerging viral variants. Particularly noteworthy is their achievement in identifying twelve antibodies, with strong neutralizing capabilities against various strains of SARS-CoV-2, including Delta and BA.5.

In a peer-reviewed publication titled Immune Counter-Evolution: Immortalized B Cell Clones Can Undergo Ex Vivo Directed Evolution to Counteract Viral Escape, Kling Bio reveals how their immortalized B-cell libraries can adapt to the evolving nature of viruses. This revolutionary method involved the use of B-cell clones sourced from human peripheral blood and tonsil tissue, allowing researchers to pinpoint B-cell clones with broad neutralization across SARS-CoV-2 variants.

High-Throughput B-Cell Screening

Utilizing high-throughput screening techniques, Kling Bio processed an astonishing 40,000 B-cells per library. The results yielded monoclonal antibodies exhibiting robust efficacy against not just the Delta variant but also the BA.5 strain. What makes this approach particularly transformative is the ex vivo directed evolution applied to B-cell clones, which significantly enhanced their neutralizing potency against emerging immune escape variants such as KP.3 and XEC.

Moreover, the study highlights a conserved neutralizing epitope located on the Spike-RBD, which has shown to be maintained across all currently reported variants. This finding paves the way for developing therapeutics that could address multiple strains of the virus simultaneously.

Engineering Enhanced Antibodies

In an exciting development, Kling Bio's team engineered a bi-paratopic antibody that effectively combines a broadly neutralizing antibody targeting the conserved Spike-RBD epitope with a non-neutralizing antibody. This unique combination resulted in even greater potency against newer SARS-CoV-2 variants, including JN.1 and KP.3.

Stefano Gullà, the Chief Scientific Officer, stated, “Our proprietary B-cell platform technologies work together to unlock the full potential of the human immune system to stay ahead of evolving viral threats. By merging high-throughput screening with directed evolution, we are capable of swiftly discovering and optimizing powerful antibodies in a matter of days.”

Future Implications

This recent publication marks a significant validation of Kling Bio's capabilities, emphasizing its commitment to advancing antibody discovery and therapeutic development against infectious diseases. Furthermore, it aligns with the company’s broader mission to redefine traditional methods of responding to viral outbreaks.

Additionally, this advancement comes on the heels of Kling Bio's collaboration with Sanofi, which seeks to amplify the search for neutralizing antibodies against clinically relevant viral pathogens. This partnership aims to leverage Kling Bio's sophisticated B-cell immortalization and screening technologies, showcasing a shared commitment to tackling infectious diseases.

With its impressive platform and innovative techniques, Kling Bio is strategically positioned not just as a leader in antibody discovery but also as an essential collaborator in the ever-evolving fight against viral pathogens. As the world faces new public health challenges, Kling Bio’s technology could revolutionize how responses to future outbreaks are managed, fostering hope for faster, more adaptable responses to viral threats across the globe.

About Kling Bio

Kling Bio specializes in antibody discovery by tapping into the full talent of the human immune system. Through proprietary B-cell platform technologies, Kling Bio seeks to accelerate drug development while minimizing risks. The company focuses on various therapeutic areas, including oncology and infectious diseases, and has already made significant strides in bringing a billion-dollar RSV antibody to market, validating its model's commercial viability alongside leading partners in the pharmaceutical industry.