The Coronavirus Immunotherapy Consortium (CoVIC) is a global partnership to accelerate discovery, optimization, and delivery of life-saving antibody-based therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2, and is supported by the COVID-19 Therapeutics Accelerator, a collaborative effort funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome, MasterCard Impact Fund and others as well as by the GHR Foundation. Major funding is provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) through a supplement to a Center For Excellence in Therapeutic Research (CETR) to Dr. Saphire (U19 142790-02S1).
Antibody therapies represent the most rapid therapeutic path forward for emerging viruses such as SARS-CoV-2. Potent antibody treatments can protect frontline health care workers, contacts, and others who are likely to be exposed. Antibody-based immunotherapies can also treat those who have already become sick, lessening disease and improving survival. The most potent antibodies will guide the development of vaccines to stop the current outbreak and protect against future pandemics.