NICE: Researchers at Utrecht and Rotterdam have a monoclonal antibody that binds to the spike protein on both SARS and also MERS viruses. They started their work using the original SARS-COV virus but they have tested it and it binds to all the virus spike proteins. This work will not lead directly to a vaccine, but monoclonal antibodies can be mass-produced and in effect give you a synthetic passive antiserum. All the supply and transfusion problems with donor plasma are eliminated. Not as long-lasting as a vaccine, but still a very effective treatment that can actually inactivate viruses.
It's been tested in cultured cells and shown to inactivate the viruses. This was one of 51 different antibodies mice produced when challenged with spike proteins. The fact that it's a single antibody type is what makes it "monoclonal". Recovery from infection typically produces many different antibodies. Next step is to try it in animals, then humans, but it's very similar to using donor plasma.
