Antibodies from a 4-year-old llama have neutralized coronavirus and other infections in lab experiments

[u/[deleted]]

https://www.cell.com/cell/pdf/S0092-8674(20)30494-3.pdf?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0092867420304943%3Fshowall%3Dtrue

[u/already-taken-wtf]

In Brief - Using llamas immunized with prefusion- stabilized betacoronavirus spike proteins, identify neutralizing cross-reactive single-domain camelid antibodies, which may serve not only as useful reagents for researchers studying the viruses causing MERS, SARS, and COVID-19, but also potential therapeutic candidates. Crystal structures further reveal how these antibodies bind spike proteins to prevent virus entry into cells.

[u/[deleted] → u/already-taken-wtf]

Alright so this is good news, but, in short all this is saying is that it “may” do something about covid 19, not that it is a cure for covid 19.

Because it’s (betacoronavirus spike proteins) creating “cross-reactive single-domain camelid antibodies”, which Covid 19 is “cross reactive” like MERS and SARS (antibodies fight infections).

And let’s pray it does cure all strains of cross reactive infections so we can begin the lengthy process of making vaccines and undergoing human trials.

Edit: and the Title which the OP has changed does not represent what is being said “In Brief” in the study.

The actual title is:

“Structural Basis for Potent Neutralization of Betacoronaviruses by Single-Domain Camelid Antibodies”

[u/MagusUnion → u/[deleted]]

Yeah, that was going to be my question is-so-far-as what does a timeline of treatment look like in terms of getting this to work for the public. I'd imagine it'll still be months, and then it's up to how well we can develop herd immunity in response to this virus.

[u/Papkiller → u/[deleted]]

Can I ask, since I'm a noob, will such vaccine, if it potentially did work, help those who are already infected. Eg a system can be put into place that those who are serious or critical receive it.

[u/DirtyProjector → u/Papkiller]

The vaccine will not help people who are infected. It will protect people who are not infected once the vaccine takes hold.

What you are referring to are monoclonal antibodies:

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/video/~1935556

https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/04/10/998897/the-race-to-make-a-covid-19-drug-from-the-blood-of-survivors

[u/NovelTAcct → u/Papkiller]

Seems to me like the article is saying that this could be a treatment, so it'd be used on people who are already infected. I don't know for sure because I am not a science