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Human Domain Antibody (dAb) Against HIV-1

Background:
The National Cancer Institute's Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize antibody-based therapeutics for HIV.

Technology:
The invention describes the first identified anti-HIV human dAb (m36).  This antibody can potentially be used alone or synergistically with other anti-HIV antibodies and antiretroviral drugs as a therapeutic and/or preventative for HIV infection.  It targets an epitope whose exposure is enhanced by binding of the HIV receptor CD4 to the HIV envelope glycoprotein (Env).  The antibody can neutralize HIV-1 primary isolates from different clades at low (nM) concentrations and due to its small size (14 kDa), is potentially able to efficiently penetrate lymphoid tissues where the virus replicates.  Because this antibody is human in nature, many of the issues associated with humanized or murine monoclonal antibodies are eliminated.

Further R&D Needed:

• Construction of a mutant library and sequential panning of the library with HIV-1 antigens from several clades

• Generate derivatives of the antibody to improve the half-life and increase its potency

• Test for synergy with other antibodies and antiretroviral drugs

• Ability to develop HIV therapeutics and preventatives using a well-characterized human antibody

• Ability to efficiently penetrate tissues where HIV replicates

• Potential neutralization of HIV-1 primary isolates from different clades at nM concentrations