A startup launches with big plans to develop antibody drugs for coronaviruses

The race to develop antibody-based drugs for the new coronavirus is primarily led by larger drugmakers and biotechs. But a new startup formed by one of the sector's more prolific antibody makers thinks it can contribute as well, and perhaps help prepare for future coronavirus outbreaks too.

That startup, dubbed Adagio Therapeutics, has been spun out of Adimab, a privately-held company whose antibody technology is used by dozens of biotech and pharma companies — among them Biogen, GlaxoSmithKline and Novartis.