Israel's Institute for Biological Research (IIBR) has made a "significant breakthrough" in developing an antibody to the novel coronavirus, country's Defence Minister Naftali Bennett has said.
Scientists at the country's main biological research institute have wrapped up the development phase and moved to patent and mass produce the potential treatment, reports said.
Bennett on Monday visited IIBR that has been mandated to develop a vaccine for coronavirus. He was shown the "antibody that attacks the virus in a monoclonal way and can neutralize it within the bodies of those ill", a statement from the defence minister's office said.
The antibody's development had been completed and that the institute was in the process of patenting the find "and in the next stage, researchers will approach international companies to produce the antibody on a commercial scale," the statement said.
"I am proud of the institute staff for this terrific breakthrough," Bennett said
"Their creativity and the Jewish mind brought about this amazing achievement," he added.
According to a PTI report, the researchers have identified the protein that is efficient in killing the virus in the patient's body, and the institute would be publishing a paper soon about the findings.
Earlier in March, Israeli daily Ha'aretz had reported that scientists at the institute had made a significant breakthrough in understanding the biological mechanism and qualities of the virus, including better diagnostic capability, production of antibodies for those who already have the virus and development of a vaccine.
The Defence Ministry in March had denied any breakthrough simply stating that "if and when there will be something to report, it will be done in an orderly fashion", the report said.
Over 2.5 lakh people have died of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) globally while 36 lakh confirmed cases of infection have been reported.
