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Human Monoclonal Antibodies Against The Plague

Background:
The National Cancer Institute's Protein Interactions Group is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize therapeutic human monoclonal antibodies directed against plague (Yersinia pestis).

Technology:
Although human plague in the United States and globally occurs mostly as scattered cases, it is of tremendous importance to develop effective treatment against the disease because of its biodefense significance. Yersinia pestis (Y. pestis), the etiologic pathogen of the fatal disease Plague is included in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) and NIH's category A agents that can be readily used as a biological weapon by bioterrorists.  Though antibiotics are effective as the first line treatment against plague, there have been reports of drug-resistant Y. pestis strains. 

This technology consists of a group of three human monoclonal antibodies directed against Y. pestis. These antibodies are specifically directed against two of the bacterium's virulent factors, the F1 capsid protein (one antibody) and the low-calcium response antigen V (LcrV) (two antibodies). The antibodies have been shown to provide protection against Y. pestis in a mouse model, with the highest protection attained with a combination of all three. These antibodies can be used for the development of therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment against Y. pestis infections and are well-suited as a first line treatment. Unlike antibiotics, the antibodies are able to provide immediate relief to patients who have high toxin levels in the system.  Additionally, the technology may be used in research related to the pathogenicity of Y. pestis, as well as for the development of new treatments against this pathogen. 


Further R&D Needed:

• Clinical validation
• Maximize efficacy by determining optimum application schedules and improving antibody affinity
• Develop new antibodies which show synergy with the current ones

• Ability to develop therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment against Y. pestis, the causative pathogen of Plague that can be used as a biological weapon
•  First line plague treatments that are able to provide immediate relief to patients who have high toxin levels in the system
• Potential to use these antibodies in research related to Y. pestis and for development of new treatment against Plague