web analytics

Broadly Neutralizing Neuraminidase Antibodies for Prophylactic and Therapeutic Treatment of Influenza

Published:
Lead Inventor: Patrick Wilson
Print or Save to PDF

SUMMARY

  • One of the weaknesses of current influenza vaccines is seasonable variability in efficacy, which is predominantly caused by escape mutations in the hemagglutinin (HA) antigen, the main target of the vaccine-induced immune response. Only 1-2% of vaccine-induced antibodies target the neuraminidase (NA) antigen, despite this antigen being less susceptible to mutation and more conserved between viral strains.
  • The inventors isolated 15 antibodies specific to influenza NA from 12 donors to characterize the immune response against this viral antigen. They found that these antibodies neutralized a broad range of viral strains. 
  • The product is a panel of broadly neutralizing influenza antibodies that bind the viral NA antigen. These antibodies can be used prophylactically or therapeutically and can supplement current HA-targeted vaccines.
  • In H3N2 and H1N1 mouse models of influenza, the NA antibodies conferred protection for up to 14 days when used prophylactically. Moreover, the antibodies extended mouse survival when used therapeutically 48 hours post-viral challenge in the same animal models.

 

 

FIGURE

Select in vivo results for H3N2 mouse models of influenza infection showing (A) prophylactic antibody administration against viral challenge and (B) therapeutic treatment 48 hours post viral challenge. Not shown are similar results for H1N1 influenza mouse model.

 

 

ADVANTAGES

ADVANTAGES

  • Broadly neutralizing
  • Less susceptible to escape mutation
  • Both prophylactically and therapeutically effective

 

APPLICATIONS

  • Influenza treatment
  • Influenza prophylaxis
  • Diagnostic
  • Research tools

 

PUBLICATIONS

 

 

 

  • Comparison to clinical standard of care Tamiflu