Beroni Group is collaborating with Tianjin University in China to develop a medical solution for the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic.
As reported by various international news outlets as late as February 20, 2020, the recent outbreak of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) has infected more than 75,000 people and claimed 2,118 lives worldwide, all but eight are from China.
In order to address this public health crisis, a team of scientists from Tianjin University and from Beroni Group is working to develop a rapid detection method and precision-driven treatment of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection using nanobody-based technology. Compared with conventional antibody, the nanobody has the following advantages: high stability, improved screening/isolation techniques, high absorption rates, superior cryptic cleft accessibility and low immunogenicity. The development of binding nanobodies will greatly improve the detection rate and accuracy of SARS-CoV-2 and also facilitate the treatment of COVID-19.
The research team will use advanced computer simulation to predict the complex structure of SARS-CoV-2 with several neutralizing antibodies, obtain the complex crystal structure of nano-antibodies and antigens, and explain the structural binding between antigens. The acquisition of the complex crystal structure will provide more accurate structural information, and based on the protein structure of the rational modification of nano-antibodies, computer-aided drug design will be used to obtain a better affinity with the coronavirus antigen, and higher specificity of high-efficiency nano-antibodies, from "broad spectrum" antibodies to "specific" antibodies.
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“We are pleased to be working with Tianjin University to develop a novel medical solution for the detection and treatment of COVID-19,” Jacky Zhang, Chairman and CEO of Beroni Group, said. “Beroni Group has an international network of scientists with the expertise in prevention, detection and control of infectious diseases. Given the urgency of the COVID-19 epidemic, we will work with regulatory bodies to accelerate research and advance studies into clinical trials.”