Project description
Phase 2 development of drug against SARS-COV-1 and SARS-CoV-2
ExeVir in Belgium is developing a drug (XVR011) that shows best-in-class potential in neutralising SARS-COV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 and diminishing lung damage in hamsters. The single-domain antibodies developed in llama are smaller than in humans, reaching parts of the virus largely inaccessible to the human immune system. XVR011 inactivates spike proteins, binding highly conserved epitopes and preventing the virus from entering cells. The developer optimised antibodies for stability and safety and received regulatory approval for the pilot human clinical trial (Phase 1b). The objectives of the EU-financed XVR011 Phase 2 project are to demonstrate drug safety and efficacy in a global phase 2 clinical trial and to proceed with the set-up of the regulatory pathway toward the manufacturing process.
Objective
XVR011, ExeVir's clinical lead candidate has emerged from scientific research from labs of highly regarded virologist Xavier Saelens and biochemist Nico Callewaert. Nonclinical data has recently been published in Cell and a preprint on BiorxIV. XVR011 is a nanobody-Fc fusion, has best-in-class potential, neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 and minimizes the development of lung damage in hamsters. The lama-derived single-domain antibodies are smaller than human antibodies and can attach to parts of a virus that are difficult to access for the human immune system. XVR011 inactivates spike proteins and sterically blocks spike binding to ACE2, preventing virus from entering a human cell, stopping viral replication; this supplements the patient's own immune response in a critical time window during which many COVID-19 patient's immune system reacts too slowly, giving it more time to do its job and eliminate the virus. It binds to a unique highly conserved epitope in the viral receptor-binding domain. Its epitope is much less susceptible to human antibody immunity pressure that can lead to viral escape, resulting in retained potency against such escape variants. It thus neutralises the rapidly spreading SARS-CoV-2 variants, and exhibits a unique, wide scope binding across the Sarbecovirus clades. Furthermore, XVR011 has been optimized for stability, safety and manufacturability. XVR011 received approval from the Belgium regulators to move into its Phase 1b. Seven IP patents were filed early on during the pandemic. ExeVir has surrounded itself with both a team of experienced entrepreneurs and is backed by a mix of private and public experienced partners and has a strong board of directors bringing with expertise across the whole value chain. The objectives of this proposal is to demonstrate XVR011 safety and efficacy in a global Phase 2; to strengthen its nonclinical package including neutralising variants data, set-up its manufacturing process and progress its regulatory pathway.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- social sciences economics and business business and management entrepreneurship
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology virology
- medical and health sciences health sciences public health epidemiology pandemics
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.2.1 - Health
MAIN PROGRAMME
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HORIZON.2.1.4 - Infectious Diseases, including poverty-related and neglected diseases
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-HLTH-2021-CORONA-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
9052 Gent
Belgium
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.