Benzinga | Aug 10, 2020 07:21AM EDT

iBio Says 'Early functional testing of mouse antisera from IBIO-201 immunized mice demonstrates the presence of antibodies that interfere with the binding of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein sequences to human ACE2 in ex vivo assays'

NEW YORK, Aug. 10, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- iBio, Inc. (NYSE:IBIO) ("iBio" or the "Company"), a biotechnology corporation and biologics contract manufacturing organization, today provided an update on one of its proprietary vaccine candidates being designed to prevent infection from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. iBio is investigating an array of adjuvants in combination with iBio's proprietary lichenase carrier molecule ("LicKMTM") fused to a coronavirus subunit protein ("IBIO-201") with the goal of producing a safe and effective vaccine for COVID-19 disease, and especially one for our most vulnerable populations, including the elderly.



Ten distinct preclinical study arms for the IBIO-201 antigen-adjuvant combinations have been concluded. These include combinations delivered via intramuscular and intranasal routes, and datasets are under evaluation.

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike titers to IBIO-201were observed 21 days after immunization. Titers continued to increase over the 42-day study. Distinct, favorable Th1 and Th2 immune profiles were observed.

Early functional testing of mouse antisera from IBIO-201 immunized mice demonstrates the presence of antibodies that interfere with the binding of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein sequences to human ACE2 in ex vivo assays. iBio plans to conduct additional testing of IBIO-201 antisera, including further evaluations of neutralizing titers in multiple assay formats. In addition, significant immune profiling studies are ongoing to evaluate safety and immune protection correlates, including antigen-specific T cell responses and memory B cell testing. The additional testing for both IBIO-201 and IBIO-200 is occurring in collaboration with the Texas A&M University System ("TAMUS") laboratories.

"We are encouraged by these pre-clinical data, which demonstrate IBIO-201's ability to generate an immune response to SARS-CoV-2 sequences and neutralize protein interaction," said Tom Isett, Chairman & CEO of iBio. "We expect to gain more insight as we complete data analysis of both of our COVID-19 vaccine candidates."