Business Wire

New SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibody enters Clinical Phase

18.12.2020 16:00:00 EET | Business Wire | Press release

Share

Cologne University Hospital (UKK), University of Marburg (UMR), the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and Boehringer Ingelheim today announced the initiation of Phase 1/2a clinical investigation of BI 767551, a new SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody. By combining UKK, UMR and DZIF’s expertise in virology, immunology and clinical investigation with Boehringer Ingelheim’s expertise in developing and manufacturing therapeutic antibodies, the partners developed BI 767551 as a potential new therapeutic and preventive/prophylactic option for fighting COVID-19.

Virus neutralizing antibodies are expected to become an important line of defense against SARS-CoV-2, complementing vaccines and nonpharmaceutical interventions. They are being investigated as a therapy option for individuals with mild or severe infections, but also as prevention or prophylaxis in non-infected people with a high risk of infection or at risk of serious outcomes. Directly delivering BI 767551 to the lung by inhalation has the potential to provide fast acting protection from virus infection in the respiratory tract.

The new antibody BI 767551 was derived from blood samples of recovered COVID-19 patients at UKK, examined for SARS-CoV-2 neutralization at UMR and developed further in collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim. The clinical study will be led by Prof. Florian Klein and Prof. Gerd Fätkenheuer at UKK and Boehringer Ingelheim will supply the antibody. “With BI 767551, we aim to provide an effective option for preventing and treating COVID-19,” explains Prof. Florian Klein, Director of the Institute for Virology at the Cologne University Hospital and Principal Investigator at the DZIF.

”Monoclonal antibodies are a promising component in the fight against new viruses, such as the SARS-CoV-2. If this antibody turns out to be effective against COVID-19, this finding could be helpful in the current and also in future epidemics and pandemics. I am glad that we are able to assist in the development of this compound," says Prof. Stephan Becker, Director of the Institute of Virology at University of Marburg and Coordinator Emerging Infections, DZIF.

“We are excited to contribute to the development of BI 767551 in collaboration with our partners, with the aim to provide an innovative SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody, combining a systemic with an inhaled route of administration” said Michel Pairet, member of Boehringer Ingelheim’s Board of Managing Directors with responsibility for the company’s Innovation Unit.

The Phase 1/2a studies (NCT04631705, NCT04631666) will evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics and antiviral activity of the antibody. In Phase 1, the antibody will be administered to participants either with a single infusion or a single inhalation. If the antibody is well tolerated, late-stage confirmatory studies will be conducted.

Please click on the following link for ‘Notes to Editors’:

http://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/press-release/sars-cov-2-neutralizing-antibody-enters-clinical-phase

To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.

Contact information

Media Contacts

Boehringer Ingelheim
Dr. Reinhard Malin
Head of Communications Innovation Unit
Boehringer Ingelheim Corporate Center GmbH
Media + PR
P: +49 6132 77-90815
press@boehringer-ingelheim.com

Linda Ruckel
Senior Associate Director, Media and Corporate Reputation
Boehringer Ingelheim U.S.
Media + PR
P: +1 203-791-6672
press@boehringer-ingelheim.com

Cologne University Hospital (UKK)
Christoph Wanko
Stellvertretender Pressesprecher
Stabsabteilung Unternehmenskommunikation
und Marketing
Tel.: +49 (221) 478 88757
christoph.wanko@uk-koeln.de

University of Marburg (UMR)
Dr. Gabriele Neumann
Leiterin der Stabsstelle Hochschulkommunikation
Pressesprecherin
Tel.: +49 6421 28-26118
Mail: gabriele.neumann@uni-marburg.de

German Center for Infection Research (DZIF)
Karola Neubert und Janna Schmidt
Pressestelle
Tel. : +49 6181 1170/1154
presse@dzif.de

About Business Wire

For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.

Subscribe to releases from Business Wire

Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Latest releases from Business Wire

Estithmar Holding Reports 97% Surge YoY in Q1 2026 in Net Profit to QAR 333 Mn29.4.2026 21:25:00 EEST | Press release

Estithmar Holding Q.P.S.C. announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2026, reporting a net profit of QAR 333 million, marking a significant 97% increase compared to the same period last year. The results underscore the strength of the Company’s operating model and the successful execution of its expansion strategy. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260429718889/en/ Estithmar Holding Reports 97% Surge YoY in Q1 2026 in Net Profit to QAR 333 Mn (Photo: AETOSWire) The company recorded revenues of QAR 1.455 billion, up from QAR 1.309 billion in Q1 2025. Gross profit rose to QAR 561 million compared to QAR 416 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 35%. EBITDA grew by 73% to reach QAR 473 million, while earnings per share increased by 90% to QAR 0.089. These results reflect comprehensive growth across all key financial indicators, supported by a clear investment vision and the Company’s abili

DC Secretary Announces Annual Determinations Committees Outcome29.4.2026 16:36:00 EEST | Press release

DC Administration Services, Inc. has today announced the composition of five regional Determinations Committees (DCs), effective from April 29, 2026. Global Dealer Voting Members (for all Regions): Non-Dealer Voting Members (for all Regions): Bank of America, N.A. Citadel Americas LLC Barclays Bank plc Elliott Investment Management L.P. BNP Paribas Pacific Investment Management Company LLC Citibank, N.A. Deutsche Bank AG Goldman Sachs International JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Regional Dealer Voting Member for the Americas, EMEA, Asia Ex-Japan, and Japan Determination Committees: CCP Members for the Americas, EMEA, Asia Ex-Japan, and Australia-New Zealand Determinations Committees: Mizuho Securities Co., Ltd. ICE Clear Credit LLC LCH S.A. The process for selecting DC members is specified in the DC rules. The DC rules, along with more information about the Determinations Committees and what they do can be found at the Determinations Committees website: https://www.cdsdeterminationscommitte

Boomi Builds Analyst Momentum Across Integration, API Management, Data Management, and Agentic AI29.4.2026 16:00:00 EEST | Press release

Boomi, the data activation company, today announced continued analyst recognition across multiple strategic technology categories, underscoring the company’s momentum as enterprises look for a unified foundation to connect data, applications, APIs, automation, and AI. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260429987428/en/ Boomi Builds Analyst Momentum Across Integration, API Management, Data Management, and Agentic AI Over the past several months, Boomi has been recognized across integration, API management, data management, and agentic AI-related categories. The company was named a Leader and positioned highest for Ability to Execute in the 2026 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Integration Platform as a Service, marking Boomi’s 12th consecutive year as a Leader. Boomi was also named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide API Management 2026 Vendor Assessment (doc #US52034025, March 2026) and was recognized as a Cha

CSC Urges Enterprises Evaluate Applying for .BRAND Domains to Navigate AI-Driven Domain Threats and Opportunities29.4.2026 16:00:00 EEST | Press release

CSC, an enterprise-class domain registrar and world leader in mitigating brand, fraud, domain, and domain name system (DNS) threats, today announced a new program to coincide with ICANN’s new Generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD) application window and to support enterprises submitting a .BRAND TLD application between April 30 and August 12, 2026. Owning a .BRAND domain gives an organization exclusive control over its entire domain infrastructure, mitigating third-party lookalike domain registrations that lead to phishing and domain spoofing. This will be the first time ICANN has opened applications for new gTLDs, including .BRANDs, since the inaugural round in 2012. There is no known date for a third window opening. As the largest provider of these domain services globally, CSC manages more than one-third (160+) of all .BRANDs, helping to secure many of the world’s most recognizable brands. Since the round one application window closed in 2012, CSC has provided continuous .BRAND registry ma

Driscoll's Names Wyard Stomp Chief Operating Officer and Expands Shaily Sanghvi's Role to Lead Global Strategy29.4.2026 16:00:00 EEST | Press release

Driscoll's, the world's leading berry brand, today announced two leadership appointments to support CEO Soren Bjorn's long-term strategy to scale the company's proven, flavor-first business model globally, bringing the same deliberate approach that made Driscoll's the #2 retail food and beverage brand in the United States to consumers in every market the company serves. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260429432633/en/ Wyard Stomp has been appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO), a newly created role, while continuing to lead Driscoll's Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) business. As COO, Stomp will partner closely with the Executive Leadership Team to turn strategy into action, lead cross-functional initiatives, and ensure the company executes at the pace required to support its global growth ambitions. Stomp joined Driscoll's in 2012 and has held several senior leadership roles in Europe and the United St

In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.

Visit our pressroom
World GlobeA line styled icon from Orion Icon Library.HiddenA line styled icon from Orion Icon Library.Eye