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