Ten new monoclonal antibodies recognise distinct Spike protein epitopes on SARS-CoV-2

The Native Antigen Company (now part of LGC’s Clinical Diagnostics Division), one of the world’s leading suppliers of reagents that enables research into vaccines and diagnostics for emerging and endemic infectious diseases, has announced the introduction of ten new monoclonal antibodies recognising SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. These ten antibodies recognise different epitopes of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike glycoprotein, nine of which are SARS-CoV-2-specific and do not cross-react with other human coronaviruses. The introduction of these new antibodies extends The Native Antigen Company’s existing range and offers researchers a source of high-quality reagents for the research and development of in vitrodiagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines for COVID-19.

These SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were raised using the Company’s own S1 and S2 recombinant Spike proteins as immunogens. Produced in the Company’s proprietary mammalian expression system, these antigens exhibit full glycosylation and proper folding to ensure that antibodies raised against them are highly specific. The antibodies have been screened against the Company’s other coronavirus proteins, including SARS, MERS, NL63, OC43, 229E and HKU1 to demonstrate specificity. Three of the antibodies have been shown to be specific for the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of Spike, the region responsible for binding to the cellular ACE2 receptor.

Dr Andy Lane, Commercial Director, The Native Antigen Company, said: “There is a real need for commercially available antibodies that are specific for SARS-CoV-2, as many reagents that are currently in use were originally raised against SARS-CoV and only cross-react with SARS-CoV-2.

The Native Antigen Company was one of the first recognised suppliers to release SARS-CoV-2 antigens in February of this year, and we have since continued to expand our offering. These ten new antibodies represent a significant advancement in the availability of defined reagents for CoV-2 studies, including immunoassay development for antigen detection.”

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike Monoclonal Antibodies

About The Native Antigen Company

The Native Antigen Company is one of the world’s leading suppliers of reagents that enable research into vaccine development and diagnostics for emerging and endemic infectious diseases. The Native Antigen Company specialises in the development and manufacture of native and recombinant viral and bacterial antigens, antibodies and immunoassays, alongside bespoke product development and custom manufacturing using its proprietary mammalian cell expression system.

The Native Antigen Company’s team have decades of experience in the isolation and purification of native antigens and high-yield mammalian cell expression systems, ensuring conformity to native type. The Company’s high-quality reagents have been widely adopted by leading pharmaceutical, in vitro diagnostic assay manufacturers, and academic groups in cutting-edge vaccine research and serology, where correct folding and glycosylation are vital.

The Native Antigen Company prides itself on an ethical and sustainable approach, exemplified by its use of 100% renewable energy and recycled packaging wherever possible, and building honest and transparent relationships with its customers and collaborators.

Founded in 2010, The Native Antigen Company is located in Oxford (UK) and has a global network of distributors.

About LGC Clinical Diagnostics

LGC’s Clinical Diagnostics Division develops and manufactures a comprehensive portfolio of catalogue and custom-developed diagnostic quality solutions and component materials for the extended life sciences industry. We partner with IVD assay developers, and pharmaceutical, CRO and academic institutions in commercialization activities across the entire diagnostic pipeline - from concept and early stage research, through expedited product development and onwards into routine clinical use. Laboratorians and diagnostic professionals across disciplines of clinical chemistry, immunochemistry, serology, molecular diagnostics and clinical genomics rely on LGC’s products to support accurate and reliable diagnostic results.

Our operating entities include SeraCare Life Sciences and Maine Standards Company, which are in vitro diagnostics (IVD) manufacturers of quality measurement tools (calibrators, controls, linearity, EQA/PT, biological materials) and The Native Antigen Company, which is a manufacturer and supplier of viral antigens. Our 300+ employees operate FDA-registered and ISO 13485-accredited facilities in Maine, Massachusetts and Maryland, USA, and an ISO 9001-accredited facility in Oxford, UK.  

Each day, our world-class staff, scientific expertise, operational efficiency and superior quality systems are ready to support the range of advanced technologies that collectively improve patient outcomes - from the widely adopted and established through to cutting-edge NGS and precision diagnostics.