Antibody discovery revisited: Generating new tools to tackle emerging viruses

This new private-public-partnership between the Erasmus MC (EMC) and the micro enterprise VYCAP brings together innovative potential and hands-on experience in viro-immunology, recombinant antibody technology and isolation of rare single cells. EMC and VYCAP will synergistically revamp the current Puncher Technology to enable cell isolation based on the molecules that they secrete. We will implement this state-of-the-art equipment and cutting-edge biotechnology to setup an innovative antibody discovery pipeline. 

Emerging infections put pressure on socio-economic structures, with the COVID-19 pandemic, including the continued emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern that escape immunity, as prime example. Rapid development of antibodies that targeting such viruses is of high value for diagnostics, antiviral therapy and vaccine development or selection, which are all imperative in outbreak management. 

We will show the potential of this platform technology by generating high-affinity SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies that target recent variants of concern, which aids in the current phase of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. 

When successfully finished, we will have developed flexible platform technology that can easily be implemented for other fields that require antibodies, including other pathogens, inflammatory diseases, autoimmunity and cancer. The SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies developed in this project have the potential to reduce clinical and economic burden of viral infections, contribute to strengthening national and global resilience against the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and preparedness for future large-scale outbreaks.