SIIDB-developed influenza antibody sees industrial use

The SII-007 antibody, which broadly neutralizes the influenza virus, has successfully achieved industrial application, the Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity (SIIDB) announced on Friday.

Incubated by the SIIDB and developed by a team led by Ying Tianlei, a part-time SIIDB principal investigator, the project was achieved with 21 million yuan ($3.1 million), which includes transfer fee plus post-sales revenue sharing.

According to Ying, the technology completed patent transfer in February and is expected to receive regulatory approval from China's drug administration by the end of the year to enter the clinical trial phase.

The antibody addresses the prevention and control challenges posed by the high frequency of influenza virus mutations. By utilizing a research and development system that deeply integrates artificial intelligence with synthetic immunology, it overcomes the technical bottleneck of the insufficient broad-spectrum activity of traditional antibodies. Meanwhile, it can effectively respond to multiple epidemic influenza virus strains.

Providing immediate protection as a passive immunotherapy, the antibody can take effect right after administration without requiring a two-week induction period. Delivered via aerosol inhalation, it is convenient to use and requires low doses. The antibody can also prevent severe influenza thanks to its high stability.

From an industrial perspective, the core patent layout for this antibody has been completed with independent and controllable intellectual property rights. Based on SIIDB's technology transfer mechanism, the antibody was connected to a fund under Fosun Pharma within one month to advance industrialization.

Jointly established by the Shanghai municipal government and Fudan University in 2020, the SIIDB has built a complete chain for technology transfer. It has received the municipal government's special funding targeting major technology projects. Over time, the institute has cultivated over 500 master's and doctoral students.

The institute provides free and open access to its five core platforms, including a vaccine innovation platform and a pathogen sample bank. By working with two law firms, the institute can precisely manage intellectual property and commercial risks.

By the end of 2025, SIIDB had published a total of 906 SCI papers, established 38 pathogen infection models, and applied for 94 patents. To date, the value of technology transfers has exceeded 44.5 million yuan.

These achievements are closely linked to SIIBD's institutional and mechanistic innovations, including opening the innovation platforms. In December 2024, it teamed up with Chongqing Zhifei Biological Products Co Ltd to build a joint laboratory with a total investment of 15 million yuan.

The institute has been active in reaching cross-border cooperation by establishing a cross-border infectious disease joint research center in 2023, which can optimize the prevention and control system featuring source detection and border interception.

Wu Fan, head of SIIDB and vice-dean of Shanghai Medical College at Fudan University, said that a full life-cycle technology transfer system needs the joint efforts of industrial parks and investment institutions. Concept validation centers are crucial to cross the "valley of death" frequently encountered by startups.

She also warned that large international companies' acquisitions might impair early-stage domestic achievements, thus, protection and independent technology transformation are crucial. Efforts should be made to include new products into the national immunization program while accelerating the provision of supporting policies, standards, and guidelines, she said.

The institute will expand the scale of its special funds, establish a vaccine concept validation center, and an innovation and technology transfer center for diagnostics, focusing on emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases and drug-resistant pathogens, according to SIIDB officials. (source: China daily)