Nanobodies have been around for decades, and there are reasons why they're not part of any drugs - half life is bonkers terrible (months for regular mammalian antibodies vs. hours) + non zero risk of immune reactions towards these foreign (to our genome) proteins. Source: PhD (partly) in antibody engineering
Great overview of the biotech behind these COVID-19 nanobodies by Vincent Racaniello [1]:<p>> Human monoclonal antibodies that block infection with SARS-CoV-2 are being used to treat COVID-19 patients, but an alternative, antibodies produced in camelids (alpacas and llamas) might have advantages. Camelid monoclonal antibodies can be more cheaply produced in mass quantities in bacteria, and protein engineering can be quickly used to produce a better therapeutic product.<p>Nanobodies are small and stable enough to be delivered as a nasal spray unlike the current mabs (Regeneron and Eli Lilly) that are delivered intravenously.<p>The paper <i>An ultrapotent synthetic nanobody neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 by stabilizing inactive Spike</i> [2] was discussed in the podcast <i>TWiV 708: Alpaca llama full of nanobodies</i> [3] on Jan 7th.<p>Unfortunately this spray is too late to impact the course of the current pandemic but it gives hope for the future.<p>[1] <a href="https://www.virology.ws/2021/01/14/camelids-for-covid/" rel="nofollow">https://www.virology.ws/2021/01/14/camelids-for-covid/</a><p>[2] <a href="https://science.sciencemag.org/content/370/6523/1473" rel="nofollow">https://science.sciencemag.org/content/370/6523/1473</a><p>[3] <a href="https://www.microbe.tv/twiv/twiv-708/" rel="nofollow">https://www.microbe.tv/twiv/twiv-708/</a>
A question for people familiar with the science:<p>How do we build confidence that there aren't any adverse effects from protein? My intuition tells me that this stuff is so small and the world of biochemistry is so complex that who knows what can happen.
Did anyone else read the headline here on HN, then look to the right at the parentheses that says "ucsf.edu" as the source, then think to themselves "press release from university PR department", get a bit suspicious, then decide not to click on the article and move on with their evening?<p>I'm not hating, exactly -- universities do cool stuff often, and I like to hear about it. But when the source is the university itself it seems a bit like COI.<p>(And lo, ramraj07 and others' comments bear this out: not much to see here.)<p>Edit: after some backlash, let me clarify: I'm asking whether others look askance at university press releases. In my experience, they're often as fluffy as press releases from corporations and the like, which was a letdown early on for me. Does this anecdote align with anyone else's experience?