HIV Therapeutics Made From Scytovirins

Background:
The National Cancer Institute and Molecular Targets Development Program is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to obtain pre-clinical data to be used to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize novel HIV therapeutics made from proteins and antibodies purified from cyanobacteria.

Technology:
The emergence of mutant drug resistant strains of HIV has created the need for more effective and less toxic anti-HIV agents. This invention provides: 1) isolated and purified antiviral peptides or antiviral proteins named Scytovirins isolated and purified from aqueous extracts containing the cyanobacteria, Scytonema varium; 2) an antibody which binds an epitope of Scytovirin isolated and purified from Scytonema varium; 3) a purified nucleic acid molecule that comprises a sequence which encodes an amino acid sequence homologous to Scytovirin; 4) a vector comprising the isolated and purified nucleic acid molecule and a host cell or organism comprising the vector; 5) a conjugate comprising the peptide and an effector component; and 6) a method of inhibiting a viral infection prophylactically and therapeutically. Thus, this invention may represent potential new therapeutics for treatment of retroviral infections, including AIDS. Because the technology has its origin in natural products, the potential for development of less toxic HIV therapeutics is evident.

Further R&D Needed:

• Additional animal efficacy studies
• GMP production
• IND-enabling preclinical studies

R&D Status:

• Systemic toxicity, immunogenicity and pharmacokinetic studies completed
• Exploration of activity against additional enveloped viruses completed
• Structural exploration of glycoprotein binding completed

IP Status:
U.S. Patent Application No. 10/513,961

Value Proposition--Solution:

• Novel method to treat HIV and other retroviral infections
• Less toxic therapeutics to treat drug resistant HIV strains

Contact Information:
John D. Hewes, Ph.D., NCI Technology Transfer Center
Phone: 301-435-3121
E-mail: Hewesj@mail.nih.gov

Reference:  #26 & 582 MC

Updated 12/06/2007