1. Scrip
  2. >>COVID-19

ExeVir Bio Looks To Llamas To Tackle Coronavirus Crisis

Raises €23m From Belgium-Based Backers

 
• By Kevin Grogan

UCB and Fund+ are supporting a spin out from the renowned VIB research institute and ExeVir Bio CEO Torsten Mummenbrauer told Scrip that the firm's llama antibodies should be in the clinic for COVID-19 possibly by November.

Llama_Peru
Llamas produce quantities of small antibodies that can be turned into nanobodies. • Source: Shutterstock

ExeVir Bio has been established by a high-profile set of Belgian partners which have joined forces to develop new therapies using llama-derived single-domain antibodies to combat COVID-19.

The new entity, a spin out from the prestigious Belgium-based research institute VIB, has closed a €23m Series A financing led by Fund+ and backed by UCB Ventures, the Belgian federal government, V-Bio Ventures and several Belgian family offices

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Scrip for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from COVID-19

Arcturus and CSL Take on Pfizer With Longer-Lasting COVID Vaccine

 
• By Kevin Grogan

Kostaive is the first self-amplifying mRNA COVID-19 vaccine to receive approval from the European Commission and could provide serious competition to Pfizer/BioNTech's Comirnaty and Moderna's Spikevax.

Under-Pressure Moderna Banks $590m To Speed Up Bird Flu Vaccine

 
• By Kevin Grogan

A week after a downbeat forecast at J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, the US mRNA specialist has pocketed another sizeable sum from the US Department of Health and Human Services to accelerate development of an H5N1 mRNA pandemic influenza vaccine.

Stock Watch: Q3, Bonfire Of The Vaccine Manufacturers

 
• By Andy Smith

Pfizer’s and Moderna’s quarterly pandemic-related product sales could not mask other weaknesses while GSK’s quarter was marred by unimpressive non-pandemic vaccines sales.

Meiji Considers Legal Action Amid Japan Misinformation On Kostaive Vaccine

 
• By Lisa Takagi

Japanese distributor Meiji Seika Pharma is considering possible legal action against what it views as online slander around COVID-19 vaccine Kostaive, which received its global-first approval in Japan last year and has now been launched for regular vaccination in the country.

More from Scrip

Lilly Builds Obesity Momentum With New SURMOUNT Data Besting Novo Nordisk

 
• By Alaric DeArment

The presentation and publication of the Phase IIIb study showing greater efficacy for Zepbound over Wegovy come at a time when competition has been heating up between the two obesity medications.

Trump’s MFN Executive Order More Rhetoric Than Action

 
• By Jessica Merrill

The details of Trump’s latest executive order on drug pricing are vague and the president put more blame on other countries and pharma distributors than drug companies.

Biopharma Deals ROI Has Fallen And Market Instability Could Make It Worse

 
• By Andrew McConaghie

Rising biotech valuations mean return on investment on some deals is non-existent for big pharma, though certain strategies will improve chances of success, a new analysis has found.