SHANGHAI - Chinese and American scientists have jointly developed a new antibody targeting the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus, which has killed 16 people and landed 150 others in hospital.

Fudan University, which worked with US National Institutes of Health to develop the antibody, said on Monday that tests on animals had seen "very effective" results.

Jiang Shibo, who led the research team at Fudan, said the m336 antibody could neutralize MERS virus more effectively than other antibodies.

Zhong Nanshan, a renowned respiratory expert, called for an immediate clinical trial.

The m336 antibody treatment has proved more effective when coupled with a specific type of polypeptide, according to Jiang.