The spike protein of the mutant strain is slightly different from the original strain. But bio-layer interferometry studies indicate that the investigational antibody binds to the mutant spike protein with the same affinity as the original virus, XBiotech reported.

The company's True Human platform targets interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1a). For COVID-19, XBiotech is developing an antibody therapeutic derived from people who have recovered from the coronavirus and have no history of severe infection. The idea behind development is that anti-IL-1a treatment will act on the inflammatory response that causes cytokine storm in severe COVID-19 cases.

XBiotech's True Human antibodies are currently in the preclinical stage of development.

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