ABSTRACT
Purpose Sotrovimab (VIR-7831), a human IgG1κ monoclonal antibody (mAb), binds to a conserved epitope on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain (RBD). The Fc region of VIR-7831 contains an LS modification to promote neonatal Fc-receptor (FcRn)-mediated recycling and extend its serum half-life. Here, we aimed to evaluate the impact of the LS modification on tissue biodistribution, by comparing VIR-7831 to its non-LS modified equivalent, VIR-7831-WT in cynomolgus monkeys.Methods 89Zr-based PET/CT imaging of VIR-7831 and VIR-7831-WT was performed up to 14 days post injection. All major organs were analyzed for absolute concentration as well as tissue:blood ratios, with the focus on respiratory tract, and a physiologically-based pharmacokinetics (PBPK) model was used to evaluate the tissue biodistribution kinetics. Radiomics features were also extracted from the PET images and SUV values.Results SUVmean uptake in the pulmonary bronchi for 89Zr-VIR-7831 was statistically higher than 89Zr-VIR-7831-WT at Days 6 (3.43 ± 0.55 and 2.59 ± 0.38, respectively), and 10 (2.66 ± 0.32 and 2.15 ± 0.18, respectively), while the reverse was observed in the liver at Days 6 (5.14 ± 0.80 and 8.63 ± 0.89, respectively), 10 (4.52 ± 0.59 and 7.73 ± 0.66, respectively), and 14 (4.95 ± 0.65 and 7.94 ± 0.54, respectively). Though the calculated terminal half-life was 21.3 ± 3.0 days for VIR-7831 and 16.5 ± 1.1 days for VIR-7831-WT, no consistent differences were observed in the tissue:blood ratios between the antibodies except in the liver. While the lung:blood SUVmean uptake ratio for both mAbs was 0.25 on Day 3, the PBPK model predicted the total lung tissue and the interstitial space to serum ratio to be 0.31, 0.55, respectively. Radiomics analysis showed VIR-7831 had mean centralized PET SUV distribution in lung and liver, indicating more uniform uptake than VIR-7831-WT.Conclusion The half-life extended VIR-7831 remained in circulation longer than VIR-7831-WT, consistent with enhanced FcRn binding, while the tissue:blood concentration ratios in most tissues for both drugs remained statistically indistinguishable throughout the course of the experiment. In the bronchiolar region, a higher concentration of 89Zr-VIR-7831 was detected. The data also allow unparalleled insight into tissue distribution and elimination kinetics of mAbs that can guide future biologic drug discovery efforts, while the residualizing nature of the 89Zr label sheds light on the sites of antibody catabolism.
ABSTRACT
VIR-7831 and VIR-7832 are dual action monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting the spike glycoprotein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). VIR-7831 and VIR-7832 were derived from a parent antibody (S309) isolated from memory B cells of a 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) survivor. Both mAbs contain an LS mutation in the Fc region to prolong serum half-life and potentially enhance distribution to the respiratory mucosa. In addition, VIR-7832 encodes an Fc GAALIE mutation that has been shown previously to evoke CD8+ T-cells in the context of an in vivo viral respiratory infection. VIR-7831 and VIR-7832 potently neutralize live wild-type SARS-CoV-2 in vitro as well as pseudotyped viruses encoding spike protein from the B.1.1.7, B.1.351 and P.1 variants. In addition, they retain activity against monoclonal antibody resistance mutations that confer reduced susceptibility to currently authorized mAbs. The VIR-7831/VIR-7832 epitope does not overlap with mutational sites in the current variants of concern and continues to be highly conserved among circulating sequences consistent with the high barrier to resistance observed in vitro. Furthermore, both mAbs can recruit effector mechanisms in vitro that may contribute to clinical efficacy via elimination of infected host cells. In vitro studies with these mAbs demonstrated no enhancement of infection. In a Syrian Golden hamster proof-of concept concept wildtype SARS-CoV-2 infection model, animals treated with VIR-7831 had less weight loss, and significantly decreased total viral load and infectious virus levels in the lung compared to a control mAb. Taken together, these data indicate that VIR-7831 and VIR-7832 are promising new agents in the fight against COVID-19.