CEPI and AstraZeneca to advance discovery into novel antibody to help prevent infection during outbreaks

Collaboration to establish proof-of-concept for innovative antibody that could reduce costs and increase global access to antibody-based interventions compared to existing monoclonal antibodies.

Novel antibody technology could help tackle future infectious disease outbreaks and pandemics swiftly and more affordably.

20 Mar 2025; OSLO: CEPI is partnering with AstraZeneca, a global biopharmaceutical company, to advance a type of antibody that could significantly reduce costs compared to existing monoclonal antibodies and increase global access to antibody-driven disease prevention solutions during an emerging infectious disease outbreak. CEPI funding of up to US$43.5 million will support AstraZeneca to evaluate an innovative antibody, known as a VHH (Variable Heavy domain of a Heavy chain -only antibody), in a preclinical proof-of-concept study through Phase 1 clinical trials.

The VHH is designed to target four pandemic influenza virus strains—H1, H3, H5 and H7—capable of attaching to multiple parts of the virus, known as a multi-specific molecule, potentially increasing the chance of protection. The multi-specific VHH will also be engineered to offer long-lasting protection against infection. Once proof-of-concept has been established for an antibody targeting influenza, the technology could potentially be used to tackle a range of future infectious disease outbreaks.  

A VHH is part of an antibody, found in animals like camels, llamas and some sharks, that recognises a pathogen and triggers an immune response. Unlike conventional antibodies, which must pair with a light chain to form a complete antibody capable of fighting off a virus, VHHs are able to work on their own. This means VHHs are much smaller and more amenable to being incorporated into multi-specific molecules. As a result, they are easier and cheaper to produce than existing monoclonal antibodies, ultimately making them more accessible.

VHHs are also relatively stable, even in extreme conditions, making them a promising prospect for an outbreak response in areas where transport and storage capabilities are limited. 

“VHH antibodies, like monoclonal antibodies, have the potential to be highly potent medical countermeasures capable of providing immediate protection against viral diseases.  Monoclonal antibodies are expensive to produce, however, and their cost limits their widespread use for protection against viral diseases,” said Dr Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI.  “CEPI’s partnership with AstraZeneca on this potentially ground-breaking VHH project could usher in a new era of more affordable antibody-based interventions, meaning that vulnerable populations could be protected from future epidemic or pandemic threats.”  

VHH technology is increasingly being explored to target chronic diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s Disease, but this latest CEPI investment is among the first to target an infectious disease and provide protection against four different influenza strains in a single molecule. 

Like naturally occurring antibodies or monoclonal antibodies, VHHs work by targeting harmful pathogens and neutralising the foreign invader. Upon binding to the virus, VHHs can prevent the virus from entering the body’s cells. In an outbreak setting, this VHH-based multi-specific antibody could serve as a protective bridge prior to the onset of longer-lasting vaccine-induced immunity. This approach limits the time that vulnerable populations are without protection, helping to swiftly contain viral spread. 

“AstraZeneca is pleased to partner with CEPI to develop VHH-based multi-specific antibodies targeting influenza.  This collaboration demonstrates AstraZeneca's commitment to addressing the impact of infectious diseases and to pushing the boundaries of science to bring innovative medicines to the patients we serve.” – Mark Esser, Vice President, Early Vaccines & Immune Therapies R&D, AstraZeneca. 

CEPI and AstraZeneca are committed to enabling equitable access to potential outputs of this CEPI-supported programme, in line with CEPI’s Equitable Access Policy. This includes sharing of any commercial benefits arising from CEPI’s funding, a mechanism for CEPI to fund a product for a CEPI Priority Pathogen using the same technology, and a commitment to ensure affordable supply of the product in low- and middle-income countries in the event of an outbreak or increased outbreak preparation need. 

—ENDS—

About CEPI

CEPI is an innovative partnership between public, private, philanthropic and civil organisations. Its mission is to accelerate the development of vaccines and other biologic countermeasures against epidemic and pandemic threats so they can be accessible to all people in need. CEPI has supported the development of more than 50 vaccine candidates or platform technologies against multiple known high-risk pathogens or a future Disease X. Central to CEPI’s pandemic-beating five-year plan for 2022-2026 is the ‘100 Days Mission’ to compress the time taken to develop safe, effective, globally accessible vaccines against new threats to just 100 days.