ExeVir Bio announces next generation Covid therapy and looks to expand activities into Dengue Fever
The antibodies demonstrate strong neutralization of all known SARS-Cov-2 variants of concern
When the Covid-19 pandemic broke out in 2020, VIB researchers Xavier Saelens and Nico Callewaert were able to engineer single-domain VHH antibodies to fight the Covid-19 virus. Thanks to a collaboration with UCB Ventures, this resulted in the record time creation of ExeVir Bio, a VIB spin-off company looking into infectious diseases such as coronaviruses.
ExeVir now announces that it has identified high-potential VHH platform candidates to generate multi-specific antibodies for Covid-19. The antibodies demonstrate strong neutralization of all known SARS-Cov-2 variants of concern, signaling a new step toward effective prevention and treatments of infections. More specifically, these potential candidates could play an important role in protecting the roughly 3% of immunocompromised people that remain at high risk of severe Covid-19 infections despite the availability of current vaccines. Exevir aims to select a final preclinical development candidate before the end of 2022 to further develop in 2023.
Additionally, as part of its broader efforts to combat infectious diseases, Exevir has also identified a triple mode of action dengue fever VHH program for development. Dengue fever is becoming increasingly prevalent in expanding geographies and continues to get more burdensome for global health.
To further support and steer this expansion in activities, the company has appointed Dr Jeanne Bolger as Chair to the Board of Directors. Dr Bolger has over 35 years of pharmaceutical industry experience in management roles across R&D, Commercial and Business Development and Venture Investments at Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JJDC and at GlaxoSmithKline. She has been leading investments across Europe in start-up and early-stage life science companies and represented JJDC on the Board of Directors of over a dozen companies. She is also a Venture Partner at Seroba Life Sciences Venture Capital and serves on several government taskforces and advisory boards.
“The Exevir team has quickly developed expertise in leveraging its modular VHH platform to address Covid-19. It is now using that experience to find rapid, effective solutions for infectious diseases, particularly as interventions to protect and treat the immunocompromised population. The lack of adequate solutions in that population leads to significant restrictions on living a normal life. We are extremely pleased to welcome Jeanne as Chair of the Board at such a pivotal time for the Company. Jeanne has an unparalleled track record in the pharmaceutical industry with exceptional expertise in leadership, driving innovation and R&D as well as bringing Commercial and Business Development and significant venture experience. We look forward to working with Jeanne to drive Exevir’s emerging pipeline forward.”
