Thread by @megtirrell

In this new pre-print from the lab of AIDS research pioneer David Ho, suggestions the B.1.35 variant (as expected) has a bigger impact on potency of both antibody drugs and #covid19 vaccines (1)

https://twitter.com/erictopol/status/1354235436126793728

Neutralizing activity of Moderna & Pfizer vaccines declines only about 2 fold against B.1.1.7 variant, but 8.6 and 6.5 fold against B.1.351, Ho pre-print finds: (2)

On monoclonal antibody activity against the variants (SA9 is B.1.351.), one Regeneron antibody loses potency, but cocktail retains. Lilly single antibody & cocktail appear to lose potency against B.1.351. (Note Regn’s Christos Kyratsous is a co-author on paper) (3)

Ho group concludes: “If the rampant spread of the virus continues and more critical mutations accumulate, then we may be condemned to chasing after the evolving SARS-CoV-2 continually, as we have long done for influenza virus.” (Cont) (4)

“Such considerations require that we stop virus transmission as quickly as is feasible, by redoubling our mitigation measures and by expediting vaccine rollout.”

Ho group pre-print, co-authored w scientists from Regeneron & NIH (incl Graham, Mascola): biorxiv.org/content/10.110… (5)