BATTLE FOR WORLD | September 15, 2020: Exciting news about an antibody therapy that could be safe and effective in neutralizing the coronavirus COVID-19 is being tested by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (UPMC) in the United States.

The scientists were able to isolate "the smallest biological molecule" that has the ability to "completely and specifically neutralizes" SARS-CoV-2, which is the virus responsible for causing the novel coronavirus.

The neutralizing antibody is 10 times smaller than a full-sized antibody, and was used to create a drug called Ab8 that researchers are hoping have the potential to prevent and treat the virus in human.

The research scientists are reporting that the drug during early testing has proven "highly effective in preventing and treating SARS-CoV-2 infection" in mice and hamsters. The drug has shown signs of no negative side-effects in people due to the fact that it does not bind to human cells, according to the early study.

"Its small size might allow it to be given as an inhaled* drug or intradermally, rather than intravenously through an IV drip, like most monoclonal antibodies currently in development," the report said.

And the scientists say, "We hope that the antibodies we have discovered will contribute to that triumph."

*Aerosolized form.

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