Rivlin hails lab’s isolation of coronavirus antibody as a ‘step toward victory’

President Reuven Rivlin praises the Israel Institute for Biological Research for its development of an antibody that could be used to treat the coronavirus, calling it “a significant step toward victory.”

Rivlin makes his remarks during a visit to the shadowy Defense Ministry-run research center, which operates in the town of Ness Ziona, south of Tel Aviv, with Defense Minister Naftali Bennett and other defense officials.

Earlier this week, the institute announced that it was the first in the world to isolate an antibody that appeared to be specifically well-suited to combating the COVID-19 virus. Though the antibody was only tested against the virus in a Petri dish, researchers believe it could be used to develop a treatment for the disease — not a vaccine for it.

“The process is complicated and will take time, but every breakthrough of yours is a significant step toward victory,” Rivlin says.

“I fully hope that good news will come out of Zion, good news that will allow us to ensure the health of anyone who’s at risk, that we’ll be able to let grandparents and all of the at-risk populations out from a difficult quarantine,” he says.

The president’s office says he also recommended to Bennett and the heads of the institute to consider opening a vaccine factory in the southern town of Yeruham in order to help it develop and grow economically.

— Judah Ari Gross