Sorrento Therapeutics (NSDQ: SRNE), a San Diego-Suzhou biopharma, has produced a preclinical batch of STI-4398 (COVIDTRAP) protein to test its ability to prevent SARS-CoV-2 virus from infecting ACE2-expressing cells. STI-4398 is an ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2)-Fc fusion protein (COVIDTRAP). It binds the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Without the ability to penetrate target cells, the SARS-CoV-2 virus cannot replicate and spread itself. The treatment has the potential to generate passive immunity. It could shield at-risk populations, including healthcare providers, the elderly population or people with compromised immune systems.

STI-4398 COVIDTRAP preserves the ACE2 enzyme activity in converting angiotensin II to angiotensin 1-7, resulting in reduced vasoconstriction and increased blood flow to the infected lung tissue. It could potentially confer organ protection and lessen severe acute respiratory distress syndrome in COVID-19 patients. Although STI-4398’s primary functionality is to interfere with the viral infection cycle, Sorrento believes COVIDTRAP with active ACE2 enzyme may have therapeutic potential for late-stage COVID-19 disease.

STI-4398 has been engineered to have a prolonged half-life in the human blood circulation, which may allow it to be used prophylactically to confer short-term and durable passive immunity (with repeated doses) to those that are regularly exposed to the virus (healthcare workers) or are at particular risk following an exposure event (elderly, patients with hypertension or immune-compromised patients).

In vitro cell studies for SARS-CoVID-2 virus infection and neutralization will be conducted in the next few weeks in collaboration with world-leading coronavirus experts.

Sorrento scientists are in parallel working speedily to generate a stable CHO (Chinese Hamster Ovary) manufacturing cell line that would enable high-yield cGMP production of the COVIDTRAP fusion protein. Sorrento’s 300,000 square feet of state-of-the-art R&D and cGMP facilities in San Diego, CA and Suzhou, China are dedicated to therapeutic antibodies and protein production and cell therapies, as well as its fill-and-finish cGMP facilities.

“The COVIDTRAP candidate product developed by our scientists in the past month follows the similar approach we take to developing immune-oncology products for suppressing and/or killing off cancer cells by targeting specific tumor targets on cancer cells. We believe the same approach works for deadly viral diseases,” said Dr. Henry Ji, Chairman and CEO of Sorrento Therapeutics. “Our immuno-therapy expertise is relevant and applicable to the COVID-19 disease. We are looking forward to quickly demonstrating our COVIDTRAP’s safety and efficacy in IND-enabling preclinical studies and clinical trials and make this potentially life-saving medicine available in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.”

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Disclosure: none.