Llama-derived nanobodies neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 spike protein
This technology describes a set of tiny antibody fragments — called nanobodies — derived from llamas, engineered to latch onto the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Because they are single-domain antibodies, they are much smaller and more stable than conventional antibodies, making them easier and cheaper to produce. These nanobodies can neutralize the virus by blocking it from entering human cells, and can also be tagged with fluorescent or enzymatic labels for diagnostic use. The researchers have identified and sequenced 53 distinct nanobody variants, providing a library of candidates for drug or diagnostic development.
What you could build
A therapeutic nanobody drug or inhaled biologic for COVID-19 treatment, licensed to a biopharmaceutical company; secondarily, a diagnostic reagent kit sold to clinical labs or biotech tool suppliers for SARS-CoV-2 immunodetection.
Who in Virginia should care
Virginia-based biodefense contractors, NIH-adjacent biotech companies in the NOVA corridor, or diagnostic reagent manufacturers with federal health agency relationships would be natural evaluators.
Readiness: Lab validated
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Gladys Viviana PARREÑO, Lorena Itati IBAÑEZ, Marina BOK, Florencia PAVAN, Juan Pablo MALITO, Andrés WIGDOROVITZ, Gisela MARCOPPIDO, Diego FRANCO, Elsa BAUMEISTER, Juan Manuel SCHAMMAS, Lijuan YUAN, Jonathan AUGUSTE
- Filed
- Patent pending — filed June 22, 2023
- Status
- Application
- Publication number
- US20240254202A1
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.