BOEHRINGER-INGELHEIM
Cologne University Hospital (UKK), University of Marburg (UMR), the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and Boehringer Ingelheim today announced the initiation of Phase 1/2a clinical investigation of BI 767551, a new SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody. By combining UKK, UMR and DZIF’s expertise in virology, immunology and clinical investigation with Boehringer Ingelheim’s expertise in developing and manufacturing therapeutic antibodies, the partners developed BI 767551 as a potential new therapeutic and preventive/prophylactic option for fighting COVID-19.
Virus neutralizing antibodies are expected to become an important line of defense against SARS-CoV-2, complementing vaccines and nonpharmaceutical interventions. They are being investigated as a therapy option for individuals with mild or severe infections, but also as prevention or prophylaxis in non-infected people with a high risk of infection or at risk of serious outcomes. Directly delivering BI 767551 to the lung by inhalation has the potential to provide fast acting protection from virus infection in the respiratory tract.
The new antibody BI 767551 was derived from blood samples of recovered COVID-19 patients at UKK, examined for SARS-CoV-2 neutralization at UMR and developed further in collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim. The clinical study will be led by Prof. Florian Klein and Prof. Gerd Fätkenheuer at UKK and Boehringer Ingelheim will supply the antibody. “With BI 767551, we aim to provide an effective option for preventing and treating COVID-19,” explains Prof. Florian Klein, Director of the Institute for Virology at the Cologne University Hospital and Principal Investigator at the DZIF.
”Monoclonal antibodies are a promising component in the fight against new viruses, such as the SARS-CoV-2. If this antibody turns out to be effective against COVID-19, this finding could be helpful in the current and also in future epidemics and pandemics. I am glad that we are able to assist in the development of this compound," says Prof. Stephan Becker, Director of the Institute of Virology at University of Marburg and Coordinator Emerging Infections, DZIF.
“We are excited to contribute to the development of BI 767551 in collaboration with our partners, with the aim to provide an innovative SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody, combining a systemic with an inhaled route of administration” said Michel Pairet, member of Boehringer Ingelheim’s Board of Managing Directors with responsibility for the company’s Innovation Unit.
The Phase 1/2a studies (NCT04631705 , NCT04631666 ) will evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics and antiviral activity of the antibody. In Phase 1, the antibody will be administered to participants either with a single infusion or a single inhalation. If the antibody is well tolerated, late-stage confirmatory studies will be conducted.
Please click on the following link for ‘Notes to Editors’:
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201218005318/en/
Link:
About Business Wire
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Doha Debates Reflects on a Landmark Year of Global Dialogue and Youth Engagement19.1.2026 17:02:00 CET | Press release
In 2026, Doha Debates addresses the world’s most pressing questions through global dialogue that engages diverse audiences, including youth In 2025, Qatar Foundation’s Doha Debates strengthened its role as a global platform for truth-seeking dialogue, bringing students and leading thinkers together to explore ideas shaping today’s most urgent questions––from freedom and justice to identity and belonging. Its reach continued to grow, surpassing 13.8 million video views and engaging nearly seven million followers across social platforms, including more than one million YouTube subscribers. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260119796451/en/ In 2026, Doha Debates addresses the world’s most pressing questions through global dialogue that engages diverse audiences, including youth. (Photo: AETOSWire) A major milestone came with season four of The Negotiators, which earned international recognition, winning the Folio A
Evernote Releases v11, Marking a New Chapter in AI-Powered Productivity19.1.2026 17:00:00 CET | Press release
Evernote today announced the release of v11, its first major product update in five years. The new version includes three powerful AI features—AI Assistant, Semantic Search, and AI Meeting Notes—creating smarter ways to capture, retrieve, and manage information in Evernote. With the release of v11, these features are now available to all Evernote customers. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260119103272/en/ Two years of work culminating in a major update V11 is a recognition of Evernote’s evolution under Bending Spoons’ stewardship. Since 2024, Evernote has released more than 250 new features and improvements while also greatly enhancing sync, speed, and reliability. With v11, Evernote ushers in an exciting new phase of development and innovation, bringing customers novel ways to engage with their preferred productivity tool. “Evernote has been part of people’s lives for years, often decades. They’ve always insp
Esmark Expands Global Sports Commitment With Sponsorship of Slovakian Professional Hockey Team19.1.2026 14:00:00 CET | Press release
Sponsorship unites local talent and gives the people of Košice a team of their own Esmark Sports Management and Entertainment, a wholly owned subsidiary of Esmark Inc., announced today it is the team sponsor and co-owner of a newly established professional hockey team in Košice, Slovakia. This partnership underscores Esmark’s commitment to supporting sports development and strengthening community connections through the unifying power of athletics. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260119104207/en/ Esmark Sports Management and Entertainment, a wholly owned subsidiary of Esmark Inc., is the team sponsor and co-owner of a newly established professional hockey team in Košice, Slovakia. The Hockey Club Esmark Košice team began competing in the 2HL division of professional ice hockey in Slovakia in the 2025-2026 season. The roster features players from Košice who have been competing for clubs across Slovakia. “The cr
WHOOP Becomes Official Health and Fitness Wearable Partner and Team Partner of Scuderia Ferrari HP19.1.2026 13:38:00 CET | Press release
A First in Formula 1: WHOOP to Deliver Health Insights Across the Scuderia Ferrari HP Team WHOOP, the human performance company, today announced a new, global partnership with Scuderia Ferrari HP as the Official Health and Fitness Wearable Partner and Team Partner. Starting in the 2026 season, Scuderia Ferrari HP cars and drivers will host the WHOOP logo, while WHOOP will be provided to members of the team to unlock insights on their health, recovery, and fitness. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260119602892/en/ This partnership also unlocks a first-of-its-kind integration in which the medical team supporting Scuderia Ferrari HP will work closely with the WHOOP Performance Science team, led by Dr. Kristen Holmes, on enhancing the physical efficiency and recovery for the entire Scuderia Ferrari HP organization. Together, they will work on the foundational elements of health and fitness with a unique human optim
Logistics Reply Announces the Launch of Its Warehouse AI Agent Builder, GaliLEA Dynamic Intelligence19.1.2026 12:32:00 CET | Press release
Logistics Reply, the Reply group company specialising in innovative solutions for supply chain execution and warehouse management, announced today the release of GaliLEA Dynamic Intelligence, the new AI Agent Builder, part of its agentic AI solution natively embedded within the LEA ReplyTM Platform, the microservices-based platform for warehouse and supply chain execution. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260119708355/en/ LEA Reply enables end-to-end supply chain execution while continuously evolving to address increasing levels of automation and operational complexity. Designed to support warehouse operations through a flexible and scalable architecture, LEA Reply enables end-to-end supply chain execution while continuously evolving to address increasing levels of automation and operational complexity. With the introduction of GaliLEA Dynamic Intelligence, the platform enables users to design, configure, and d
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom