China-Developed Covid-19 Antibody Enters Human Trials

What’s new: A Covid-19 antibody being produced by technology from Switzerland’s Lonza Group for China’s Junshi Biosciences has begun Phase I testing, the pair said, as they unveiled a new partnership for the Junshi-developed JS016 antibody.

The pair disclosed the first healthy volunteer was dosed with the antibody in a Phase I clinical study at a Shanghai hospital in June, according to the Lonza announcement on Monday.

Background: Lonza is just one of several global partners working with Junshi to commercialize the JS016 antibody for neutralizing the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19.

Lonza helps other companies make medicines using its technology, and is working with a number of those on Covid-19 treatments. The Swiss company has a much larger deal to help produce an experimental vaccine being produced by American biotech firm Moderna, according to Reuters.

Quick Takes are condensed versions of China-related stories for fast news you can use. To read the full press release, click here.

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Contact reporter Yang Ge (geyang@caixin.com)