China-based biopharmaceutical company Junshi Biosciences and Eli Lilly and Company have announced that they have entered into an agreement to co-develop therapeutic antibodies for the potential prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

Multiple neutralizing antibodies have been engineered, with the lead asset poised to enter clinical testing in the second quarter.

“As the number of global cases continues to grow, there is an urgent need to study multiple complementary approaches to address this disease,” said Daniel Skovronsky, Lilly's chief scientific officer and president of Lilly Research Laboratories. “The data generated by Junshi Biosciences suggest the lead antibody may have appropriate properties to support testing its therapeutic use in patients as well as exploring its potential for preventing infection in at-risk individuals. We look forward to partnering with Junshi Biosciences to quickly begin testing this potential new therapy in clinical trials.”

Lilly will receive an exclusive license to conduct clinical development, manufacturing and distribution of products outside of Greater China. Junshi Biosciences will maintain all rights in Greater China.

Lilly will receive an exclusive license to conduct clinical development, manufacturing and distribution of products outside of Greater China.