CEPI, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, yesterday announced a $43.5 million deal with pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca to advance the development of a novel antibody that could reduce costs and improve access to monoclonal antibody treatments.

The antibody is called VHH (Variable Heavy domain of a Heavy chain-only antibody) and will be designed to target four potential pandemic influenza virus strains—H1, H3, H5 and H7.

First use of VHH for influenza

According to CEPI, VHH is part of an antibody found in llamas, camels, and some sharks. Unlike other antibodies, it does not need to pair with a light chain to be capable of fighting off a virus.

VHH antibodies, like monoclonal antibodies, have the potential to be highly potent medical countermeasures capable of providing immediate protection against viral diseases.

“VHH antibodies, like monoclonal antibodies, have the potential to be highly potent medical countermeasures capable of providing immediate protection against viral diseases.  Monoclonal antibodies are expensive to produce, however, and their cost limits their widespread use for protection against viral diseases,” said Richard Hatchett, MD,CEO of CEPI in a press release. 

The CEPI investment marks the first time VHH antibodies are being looked at for pandemic flu protection. VHH technology is currently being studied for chronic diseases, including cancers. In a pandemic influenza scenario, CEPI said VHH antibodies could act as a stopgap before vaccines are introduced to the public.