Eli Lilly’s Second Potential COVID-19 Antibody Enters Phase 1 Trial

Eli Lilly and Junshi Biosciences have begun a phase 1 trial of a second neutralizing antibody for COVID-19.

The trial led by Junshi in China will evaluate the safety and tolerability of the antibody, JS016, in healthy participants who have not been diagnosed with COVID-19. Eli Lilly also plans to begin a phase 1 trial of the antibody in the U.S. soon.

Lilly began a separate phase 1 trial of its antibody LY-CoV555 last week under its collaboration with AbCellera — the first trial of an investigational antibody designed to treat COVID-19. That trial is taking place at major U.S. medical centers, including New York City’s NYU Grossman School of Medicine and Los Angeles’ Cedars-Sinai (DID, June 2).

Lilly is pursuing single antibody therapies and “cocktail” regimens, which will include JS016, LY-CoV555 and other antibodies the company is developing.

GlaxoSmithKline and Vir Biotechnology are also hunting for an effective antibody, as is Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. The three companies are expected to begin testing candidates in humans soon (DID, June 2). — Jordan Williams