Monoclonal Antibodies Specific for the E2 Glycoprotein of Hepatitis C Virus and Their Use in the Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention of Hepatitis C
Description of Invention:
Hepatitis C virus is an enveloped, single stranded RNA virus, approximately 50 nm in diameter, that has been classified as a separate genus in the Flaviviridae family. Most persons infected with hepatitis C virus develop chronic infection. These chronically infected individuals have a relatively high risk of developing chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. There is currently no vaccine to prevent the hepatitis C virus infection. The present invention relates to human monoclonal antibodies which exhibit immunological binding affinity for the hepatitis C virus E2 glycoprotein and are cross-reactive against different hepatitis C virus strains. These antibodies may be used in passive immunoprophylaxis for the prevention of hepatitis C virus infection and/or in passive immunotherapy for the treatment of hepatitis C.
Applications:
In vitro diagnostic assay for identifying patients infected with hepatitis C virus and contaminated blood samples
Method of preventing infection using monoclonal antibodies that neutralize E2 glycoproteins from different genotypes of hepatitis C virus
Market:
Over 4 million people in the U.S. are infected with hepatitis C virus.
An estimated 150 to 200 million people are infected with hepatitis C virus worldwide.
Patent Status:
DHHS Reference No. E-017-2001/0 --
U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/250,561 filed 01 Dec 2000
PCT Application No. PCT/US01/45221 filed 30 Nov 2001, which published as WO 02/055560 on 18 Jul 2002
U.S. Patent Application No. 10/432,006 filed 16 May 2003, which issued as U.S. Patent No. 6,924,362 on 02 Aug 2005
Relevant Publication: DJ Schofield et al. Human monoclonal antibodies that react with the E2 glycoprotein of hepatitis C virus and possess neutralizing activity. Hepatology. 2005 Nov;42(5):1055-1062. [PubMed abs]
Licensing Status: Available for exclusive or non-exclusive licensing.
Collaborative Research Opportunity:
The NIAID Laboratory of Infectious Diseases is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize these monoclonal antibodies. For more information, please contact Robert H. Purcell, M.D., Co-chief, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 50 South Drive, Bldg. 50, Rm. 6523, Bethesda, MD 20892-8009; Phone (301) 496-5090; Fax (301) 402-0524.
