# Novel Therapy for SARS-CoV-2 Virus Infection and Pathogenesis by Aerosol Delivery of Monoclonal Antibodies

> **NIH NIH P51** · OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $499,631

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC) is one of seven National Primate Research Centers
(NPRCs) established by Congress in the 1960s. The NPRCs are sponsored by the NIH Office of the Director,
and serve the nation's biomedical research needs in a unique and essential fashion through cost-effective
provision of NHPs and related scientific expertise, specialized facilities, and equipment to federally funded
studies of NHPs that comprise a vital translational link between basic research and human applications. The
mission of the ONPRC is to improve human health and the quality of life through NHP research programs that
advance our knowledge of the causes of human diseases and that develop effective preventions, treatments,
and cures.
The Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC) P51 Core Grant (P51-OD011092) supports a colony
of approximately 4900 breeding and research nonhuman primates (NHPs), including rhesus macaques of
Indian origin, Japanese macaques, cynomolgus macaques, Hamadrayas and olive baboons, and a small
number of squirrel monkeys. Rhesus and Japanese macaques are bred at the Center. Other species are
imported from domestic sources to fulfill project specific research needs.
In this supplement proposal to the parent grant, we will test the hypotheses that: 1) When given prior to
challenge, inhaled, aerosolized neutralizing monoclonal antibodies can prevent or mitigate SARS-CoV-2
infection in rhesus macaques; and 2) Inhaled neutralizing monoclonals can reduce viremia and prevent
pathogenesis when given after challenge. To test these hypotheses, we will test a cocktail of human mAbs with
potent and broad SARS-CoV2-neutralizing activity for their effectiveness in pre-exposure protection and/or
limitation of viral shedding following aerosolization and administration by inhalation prior to
intranasal/intratracheal challenge with SARS-CoV-2. Animals will be followed for virological and immunological
outcomes and pathology using standard protocols developed by the Coronavirus Vaccines and Therapy
Evaluation Network. At necropsy, tissues will be harvested and processed for virus quantification and
histology. For post-exposure studies, macaques will be infected with SARS-CoV-2, and treated one day later
with the same cocktail of human SARS-CoV-2 mAbs, comparing aerosol and intravenous delivery at various
doses. These proof-of-principle experiments will pave the way for post-exposure aerosol treatments with potent
antibodies and nanobodies toward the goal of reducing COVID-19 disease. Our findings will expand the utility
of the nonhuman primate model for SARS-CoV-2 and will support the discovery of novel therapeutics for
COVID-19, thereby fulfilling the primary purpose of the P51 grant.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10400511
- **Project number:** 3P51OD011092-62S3
- **Recipient organization:** OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Peter Gordon Barr-Gillespie
- **Activity code:** P51 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $499,631
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2021-05-01 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10400511

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10400511, Novel Therapy for SARS-CoV-2 Virus Infection and Pathogenesis by Aerosol Delivery of Monoclonal Antibodies (3P51OD011092-62S3). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10400511. Licensed CC0.

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