Blocking entry of HIV into cells and vaccine development against HIV are the prime targets of HIV therapy and prevention, respectively. Current invention describes a monoclonal Fab anti-HIV antibody isolated through panning against the chimeric construct NCCG-gp41 by Antibodies-by-Design (Morphosys). One of the antibodies has broadly neutralization ability against several HIV subtypes in an envelope-pseudotyped-virus neutralization assay. This antibody was also shown to have synergistic effect with a gp41-derived peptide discovered in this laboratory in inhibiting HIV-1 fusion.

Applications:

Research tool or screening for HIV vaccine

Advantages:

Can be potentially used as a therapeutic agent to block HIV-1 entry into cells.

Development Status:

In vitro data available

Market:

For the development of drugs against HIV

Publications:

1. E Gustchina et al.  A monoclonal Fab derived from a human nonimmune phage library reveals a new epitope on gp41 and neutralizes diverse human immunodeficiency virus type 1 strains.  J Virol. 2007 Dec;81(23):12946-12953.  [PubMed abs]
2. E Gustchina et al.  Sequestering the pre-hairpin intermediate of gp41 by peptide N36^Mut(e,g) potentiates the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 neutralizing activity of monoclonal antibodies against the N-terminal helical repeat of gp41. J. Virol. in press (2008).

HHS Reference No. E-229-2008/0 – Research Tool.  Patent protection is not being pursued for this technology.

Inventors:

G. Marius Clore et al. (NIDDK)

Licensees Sought:

This invention is available for non-exclusive licensing as a research tool.

Collaborative Research Opportunity:

The NIDDK Laboratory of Chemical Physics is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize this monoclonal Fab.  Please contact Dr. G.M. Clore at 301-496 0782 and/or email at mariusc@mail.nih.gov for more information.