JERUSALEM, ISRAEL – MARCH 18: (ISRAEL OUT) Israel’s newly sworn-in Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor and head of Israel’s Jewish Home party, Naftali Bennett arrives for the first Cabinet meeting after the swearing in of the new Israeli government, at the Prime Minister’s Office on March 18, 2013 in Jerusalem, Israel. Israel’s 33rd government is to be sworn in today after almost six weeks of negotiations to piece together a coalition government. (Photo by David Vaaknin-Pool/Getty Images) Israeli Defense Minister Naftali Bennett announced in a series of tweets on May 7 that the Israeli Institute for Biological Research (IIBR) has developed three additional antibodies that can stifle COVID-19.
Bennett explained the antibodies were taken from recovered COVID-19 patients; the antibodies attach themselves to the virus and the prevent the virus from infecting cells in the patient’s body.
He clarified that the antibodies are utilized as a treatment against the virus and not a vaccine, however, the antibodies could shorten the timeframe to develop the virus.
“I’ve had the unique opportunity to push this project since its inception a few months ago,” Bennett tweeted. “These are incredibly smart, creative and vigorous researchers, who love their work and care deeply about Israel’s security.”
Bennett added that the defense ministry is utilizing its resources to help the IIBR get the antibodies ready for “full treatment.” The ministry is working to obtain a patent for the antibodies.
“This is an important milestone, which will be followed by a series of complex tests and a process of regulatory approvals,” he wrote.
1/9: Big news from Israel:
A second breakthrough:
During the past few days, our scientists at the the Israel Institute for Biological Research (IIBR), have determined a set of 3 more antibodies that neutralize the novel corona virus (SARS-COV-2).— Naftali Bennett בנט (@naftalibennett) May 7, 2020
2/9: This is beyond the first antibody, which we already announced. I’ve had the unique opportunity to push this project since its inception a few months ago. These are incredibly smart,creative and vigorous researchers, who love their work and care deeply about Israel’s security
— Naftali Bennett בנט (@naftalibennett) May 7, 2020
3/9: Today when meeting them I requested that they move as quickly as possible to complete the work for a full treatment.
I’ve ordered Israel’s Defense ministery to spare no money or resources to make this happen.— Naftali Bennett בנט (@naftalibennett) May 7, 2020
4/9: I view this as Israel’s “Manhattan Project” to defeat the Covid-19 pandemic.
This scientific breakthrough has three key parameters:
1. These novel antibodies are fully human monoclonal, selected from COVID-19 patients.— Naftali Bennett בנט (@naftalibennett) May 7, 2020
5/9: 2. These antibodies specifically bind to distinct elements of the aggressive corona virus.
3. The institute has demonstrated the ability of each of the antibodies to neutralize the live corona virus (block the virus from infecting cells).— Naftali Bennett בנט (@naftalibennett) May 7, 2020
6/9: Based on comprehensive scientific publications from around the globe, it appears that the IIBR is the first institution to achieve a scientific breakthrough that meets all three of the aforementioned parameters simultaneously.
— Naftali Bennett בנט (@naftalibennett) May 7, 2020
8/9: and that it is not a vaccine for wide use. This is an important milestone, which will be followed by a series of complex tests and a process of regulatory approvals.
— Naftali Bennett בנט (@naftalibennett) May 7, 2020
9/9: That said, the scientists at the institute believe that the nature of this breakthrough could lead to a shortening of the process, which could span over several months.
— Naftali Bennett בנט (@naftalibennett) May 7, 2020
On May 4, Bennett announced that the IIBR had developed its first antibody attacking the virus.
“I am proud of the staff at the Israel Institute for Biological Research who have made a huge breakthrough,” Bennett said in a statement. “The creativity and Jewish mind have brought this amazing achievement. The entire defense establishment will continue to operate at the forefront of the fight against coronavirus.”
Other Israeli treatments include Pluristem’s PLX cell therapy — which has seen initial success in Israel and the United States — as well as the drug Opaganib, which was approved to treat COVID-19 patients in Italy in April.
As of this writing, there are 16,381 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 240 deaths from the virus in Israel. According to the Israeli Health Ministry, the number of Israel’s recovered COVID-19 patients is now twice the size of those currently infected with the virus.
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